Man who sprayed Rep. Ilhan Omar gets prison sentence

A Minnesota man who sprayed liquid at Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Minneapolis town hall was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 17, to 14 months in federal prison, nearly eight months after the attack disrupted a public meeting and prompted a federal prosecution.

Anthony James Kazmierczak, 56, received an additional three years of supervised release and a no-contact order with Omar. Prosecutors said the attack was planned in advance, pointing to online research about the congresswoman and preparations Kazmierczak made before the event.

Kazmierczak was seated in the front row of Omar's Minneapolis town hall when he suddenly stood, approached the congresswoman and sprayed liquid from a syringe. The substance struck Omar's jacket and landed on her face and hand, according to court records.

Security officers quickly tackled Kazmierczak, and Minneapolis police took him into custody. Omar was not injured and continued the event after the disruption.

Laboratory testing later determined the liquid was a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.

Federal prosecutors argued the attack was not spontaneous.

According to court documents, Kazmierczak bought a ticket to the town hall weeks before the event and sent messages to others suggesting he planned to do something involving Omar. Prosecutors also said…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/