WASHINGTON, D.C. - A federal judge sentenced Kevin Seefried of Laurel to 3 years in prison on Thursday.
Seefried, 53, brandished the Confederate flag during the U.S. Capitol riots on January 6th. Last June, the same judge found Seefried guilty on five counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony.
In addition to the time behind bars, Seefried was also ordered to pay $2,000 in damages to the Architect of the Capitol, as well as a $170 fee for special assessment.
Seefried tearfully apologized to U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden.
“I never wanted to send a message of hate,” Seefried said. “I know I made a terrible mistake.”
Seefried threatened a Black police officer with a pole attached to a Confederate battle flag as he stormed the building. Judge McFadden said it was deeply troubling that Seefried wielded the flagpole as a weapon against the officer.
“Bringing a Confederate flag into one of our nation's most sacred halls was outrageous," the Judge said.
Justice Department prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and 10 months for Seefried, a drywall mechanic.
The defense argued Seefried's employment history, lack of a criminal record and health issues warranted a more lenient sentence.
Seefried was among the first to enter the Capitol after rioters broke windows of the building using a police shield and a wooden 2-by-4. A photograph of Seefried with the Confederate flag received national attention at the time. His son Hunter Seefried, 24, was previously sentenced to two years in prison for his role in storming the Capitol as well.
“I know I made a terrible mistake,” the elder Seefried said today. “I never should have entered the window of the Capitol.”
The judge described Kevin Seefried as the “prime mover” in his family’s decision to travel to Washington on Jan. 6. McFadden rejected the defense argument that the elder Seefried never intended to interfere with the congressional proceedings.
“You participated in a national embarrassment,” Judge McFadden told him.
As he left the courtroom, Seefried was flanked by his public defenders. Outside of the courthouse, he was joined by family members including his daughter and son.
Seefried's daughter appeared to push a photographer, leading to a verbal altercation between Kevin and the photographer.
Seefried said to the photographer "You touch her I swear to god."
The photographer responded "I didn't touch anybody."
Seefried's counsel then pulled on his arm and ushered him away.
About 400 people so far have been sentenced for their participation in the riots, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.