Matthew Honigford, a 31-year-old former Ohio Army National Guardsman, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to assaulting officers during the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
His sentencing is scheduled for August 19 by U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. Honigford’s involvement in the January 6, 2021, events came after he attended former President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally.
Court documents detail Honigford’s aggressive actions against law enforcement, including using a flagpole as a weapon against an officer and attempting to pray while inappropriately touching officers amidst the chaos.
National Guardsman Attacking Officers (Credits: NBC4 Washington)
His military background came into play as court documents reveal he was identified by a staff sergeant in the Ohio Army National Guard, where Honigford served until March 2022.
His departure from the Guard was marked by absenteeism post the 2020 presidential election, during which he expressed distrust in the country’s direction under President Joe Biden. This led to him being reported AWOL but allowed to complete his service term.
This case is part of a broader investigation into the Capitol breach, with over 1,313 individuals charged for related crimes, including more than 469 for assaulting law enforcement.
The ongoing legal proceedings continue to address the aftermath of the insurrection, highlighting the extensive and varied backgrounds of those involved.
