Massachusetts Doctor Sentenced to Nine Months for Assaulting Officer During Capitol Riot

A Massachusetts-based medical doctor, Jacquelyn Starer, has been sentenced to nine months in prison, followed by nine months of home confinement, for assaulting a police officer during the January 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Starer punched the officer and used profane language during the mob's attack on the Capitol.

Starer's Regret and Apology

During the sentencing, Starer expressed her regret for her actions and apologized to the officer she assaulted. She accepted full responsibility for her behavior, stating, "I truly wish reason had prevailed over my emotions."

Plea, Sentence, and License Status

Starer, 70, of Ashland, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in April to eight counts, including a felony assault charge. Prosecutors recommended a harsher sentence of two years and three months. However, Starer's attorneys requested home confinement instead of imprisonment. Following her arrest, Starer agreed in January 2023 not to practice medicine in Massachusetts.

Involvement in Capitol Riot

Starer attended then-President Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6 before joining the mob at the Capitol. She entered the building approximately 15 minutes after it was breached and engaged in confrontational behavior with police officers, including pushing and punching.

Judicial Remarks and Consequences

The judge criticized Starer's actions, likening her approach toward the police line to that of a "heat-seeking missile." These actions posed a threat to the safety of Congress members. The incident is part of a wider crackdown, with nearly 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riot. Approximately 900 have been convicted and sentenced