A New York man pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to the January 6 assault on now-former Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone during the attack on the United States Capitol.
Thomas F. Sibick of Buffalo pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or hindering an officer and two counts of robbery at a federal court hearing in Washington, DC. He is the third person convicted of assaulting Fanone, who prosecutors say «suffered significant and painful injuries.» «During the insurrection.
In the plea agreement, prosecutors said the sentencing guidelines call for between 33 and 41 months in prison. Sibick is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Amy Berman Jackson on July 28.
In an offended statement, Sibick acknowledged taking a video of himself during the riot on the Capitol grounds, where he said, «I just got tear gassed, but we’re leaving, honey! We’re leaving!» He then took a panoramic photo of the crowd that he posted on Instagram with the caption: «Wildest experience of my life!»
The court filing also recounted the attack on Fanone, who was «jammed, kicked, punched, pushed, grabbed, and hit with objects by the crowd.» While Fanone was being held by the mob, his body camera showed Sibick «forcibly removing the officer’s badge and radio, which were securely attached to the officer’s tactical vest,» the file says.
A short time later, Sibick «posed for a photo of himself holding and pointing to a (US Capitol Police) riot shield,» the document noted.
He later claimed to the FBI that he had been trying to help Fanone and had pressed the emergency button on the radio, but prosecutors said the button was not pressed until 16 minutes after Fanone was escorted to safety. Sibick «changed his story three times» and then admitted that he had buried the Fanone badge in his backyard, the plea states. The radio was never recovered.
An attorney for Sibick did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fanone suffered a heart attack and head trauma on January 6 and in December 2021 give up from the DC Police Department, where he had served for 20 years.
Another of Fanone’s attackers, Kyle Young of Iowa, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in September.
The troublemaker who tested Fanone, daniel rodriguez of California, pleaded guilty to assault last month. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May, with guidelines calling for 7 to 10 years in prison.