A Michigan resident, Matthew Thomas Krol, aged 64, has admitted to assaulting a police officer during the infamous January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to authorities.
Krol, hailing from Linden, Michigan, entered his guilty plea in the District of Columbia. He confessed to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, as confirmed by the Department of Justice in a news release.
The scheduled sentencing for Krol is on December 15. Prosecutors from the federal government reveal that Krol’s actions included hurling a water bottle at police officers, forcibly moving fellow civilians out of his way, and launching an attack on a member of the Metropolitan Police Department.
He reportedly even seized an officer, twirled him around, and took possession of his police baton, employing it to strike other officers.
The incident led to Krol’s arrest on February 22, 2022, in Linden. Court documents highlight that Krol identified himself as a former leader of the Genesee County Volunteer Militia.
Michael Cronkright, Krol’s attorney based in Lansing, mentioned to the Detroit Free Press that his client feels “very remorseful” about his actions. Cronkright further explained that Krol’s misconduct transpired in less than a minute, after he got swept up in the chaotic crowd during the incident.
