WASHINGTON — A Florida man pleaded guilty Monday to assaulting police who were attempting to prevent rioters from entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Raymund Cholod, 53, pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting or impeding police in federal court Monday before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. A sentencing hearing was scheduled for July 2.
According to a statement of facts included in the plea, Cholod was among the first group of rioters to enter the Lower West Terrace Tunnel on Jan. 6. The tunnel, which the president-elect uses to enter the inaugural stage every four years, was the scene of some of the most intense and prolonged assaults on officers during the Capitol riot.
Cholod joined other rioters in trying to force his way through the police line in the tunnel and can be seen in images included in charging documents grabbing at U.S. Capitol Police officer’s riot shield.
Cholod was in the tunnel for less than 15 minutes, but remained on Capitol grounds for at least an hour and a half afterward. While still on the grounds, Cholod picked up a long black stick from the ground and threw it into the mouth of the tunnel were police were still maintaining a defensive line.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Cholod will face an estimated sentencing guideline of 37-46 months in prison. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop multiple other felony charges, including a more serious version of the assault charge that carries a longer possible maximum sentence for using a deadly or dangerous weapon. Cholod will still receive a weapon enhancement at sentencing.
In the 37 months since the Capitol riot, more than 1,300 defendants have been charged with crimes ranging from entering a restricted area to seditious conspiracy. Approximately 900 defendants have now pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial.