Pompano Beach, Florida – A 58-year-old man from Pompano Beach and a member of the Broward chapter of the Proud Boys has been handed a significant prison sentence for his involvement in the events of January 6. Kenneth Bonawitz received his sentence yesterday, which included 60 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and fines.
Bonawitz had earlier pleaded guilty to serious felony charges, including civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. The gravity of his actions during the Capitol breach is detailed in the court documents. It was revealed that Bonawitz arrived at the Capitol armed with a knife and was responsible for assaulting at least six law enforcement officers on the West Plaza. His violent actions were not just limited to physical attacks; they included extreme measures such as hurling himself at officers, tackling them to the ground, placing one officer in a chokehold, and lifting that officer by the neck.
One of the officers attacked by Bonawitz, who had served as a first responder during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the Pentagon, suffered injuries so severe that they led to the officer’s retirement from the United States Capitol Police. This fact underscores the seriousness and long-lasting impact of Bonawitz’s actions on that day.
The Department of Justice has provided a broader context for the scale of the breach. Since January 6, 2021, over 1,265 individuals from nearly all 50 states have been charged with crimes related to the U.S. Capitol breach. Among these, more than 440 individuals face charges of assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a categorization that includes Bonawitz.
Bonawitz’s sentencing is part of the larger, ongoing investigation into the January 6 events. The investigation continues as authorities work to hold all those responsible accountable for their actions in the unprecedented breach of the U.S. Capitol.
