The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia charged a 27-year-old man from Florida on Wednesday with one count of assault for attacking a Metropolitan police officer on the final night of the Republican National Convention.
Federal prosecutors allege that Brennen Sermon of Orlando was in the vicinity of a scuffle between Sen. Rand Paul and angry rioters who hurled insults at him and his wife, Kelley Ashby Paul. Sermon is accused of punching a Metropolitan police officer in the face following an earlier confrontation in which Sermon shoved an officer who was protecting the Pauls during a night of tense demonstrations in the nation’s capital.
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“One of the brave DC cops who likely saved Kelley and me was assaulted by one of the violent mob,” Paul tweeted following the arrest. “The attacker was arrested and charged with assault, then released. (If you’re looking for him, maybe try Kenosha).”
One of the brave DC cops who likely saved Kelley and me was assaulted by one of the violent mob. The attacker was arrested and charged with assault, then released. (If you’re looking for him, maybe try Kenosha)
Florida Man Charged with attacking officer https://t.co/bssZDdNOnu
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 2, 2020
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said that Sermon was “in the vicinity” of the Kentucky statesman on Friday in a statement released by the Department of Justice on Wednesday.
The responding officer suffered a “severe laceration” above his left eye and received stitches at a local hospital.
Paul was surrounded by 100 or so protesters who hurled insults and shoved down a police officer who was protecting the senator and his wife, who later described the moment as like living through a “terrifying dystopian novel.”
If convicted, Sermon faces up to 180 days in prison and a $1,000 fine.
