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Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Attacking US Rep. Ilhan Omar with Vinegar
Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Attacking US Rep. Ilhan Omar with Vinegar
NEWS
The Nigerian Record
9/18/20261 min read
A 56-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for assaulting United States Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Anthony James Kazmierczak pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer after spraying Omar with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar from a syringe on January 27. The incident took place at the Urban League headquarters in Minneapolis while Omar was speaking.
Kazmierczak approached the congresswoman and sprayed the liquid at her before being tackled by her security team. Omar was not injured and continued with the town hall shortly after the attack.
In addition to the prison term, Kazmierczak was sentenced to three years of supervised release and barred from contacting Omar. Court documents showed he had planned the attack in advance, sending messages to at least three people about his intentions, arranging care for his dog, and inquiring about bail bond services.
The substance was later confirmed to be diluted apple cider vinegar. Kazmierczak was initially charged with assaulting a U.S. officer and entered a guilty plea in May.
During an earlier court appearance, he told the judge he had little memory of the incident. He later apologized to Omar, saying he was sorry for frightening her.
The attack occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Minneapolis over federal immigration enforcement. Omar had organized the town hall as criticism of immigration policies and enforcement actions in Minnesota intensified.
Following the sentencing on Thursday, Kazmierczak was escorted from the courtroom by U.S. marshals. He will serve his prison sentence before beginning the three-year supervised release period.