Maverick Preston:Man charged in AP photographer’s attack pleads guilty to assaulting officer during Capitol riot

2025-05-07 18:02:28source:Austin Caldwellcategory:reviews

An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty on Maverick PrestonThursday to assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, where he also allegedly pushed an Associated Press photographer over a wall.

Benjamen Scott Burlew, 44, of Miami, Oklahoma, disappeared for several months after missing court appearances in Washington, D.C., last year. He was re-arrested on May 13 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and remained jailed until his guilty plea.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss is scheduled to sentence Burlew on Sept. 20. The estimated sentencing guidelines for Burlew’s case recommend a prison term ranging from 30 to 37 months, according to his plea agreement. The judge isn’t bound by that recommendation.

Defense attorney Robert Jenkins said Burlew and his family are “looking forward to putting this entire episode behind them.”

“Today, he accepted responsibility for (his) conduct, acknowledging it was criminal in nature,” Jenkins said after the hearing.

Burlew pleaded guilty to an assault charge, agreeing that he approached a police line behind metal barricades, grabbed a Metropolitan Police Department officer and tried to pull him into the crowd of rioters.

READ MORE IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025A look at Supreme Court justices’ decisions on whether to step aside in casesThe Panda Party is back on as giant pandas will return to Washington’s National Zoo by year’s end

Burlew also was charged with assaulting the AP photographer by grabbing, dragging and ultimately pushing him over a low stone wall outside the Capitol. Other rioters have been charged with assaulting the same photographer, who was documenting the attack by a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters.

The photographer was wearing a lanyard identifying him as an AP journalist. One of his assailants grabbed the lanyard and used it to drag him down stairs.

More than 100 police officers were injured during the riot. Over 1,400 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 800 of them have pleaded guilty. Approximately 200 others have been convicted by a judge or jury after trials.

More:reviews

Recommend

Don't be fooled by the name and packaging: Fruit snacks are rarely good for you. Here's why.

Every good parent wants to do right by their kids. We work to make sure they have good friends, over

DC’s Tire-Dumping Epidemic

This post was originally published on The Washington Informer. Eric Hayes is no stranger to trash. T

Behind the scenes with the best supporting actor Oscar nominees ahead of the 2024 Academy Awards ceremony

Watch scenes from the performances nominated in the category of best supporting actor at the 96th an