Capitol Rioter From Delco Admits Throwing Fire Extinguisher At Police

CHESTER, PA — A former Delaware County firefighter pleaded guilty in federal court to assaulting U.S. Capitol Police officers on Jan. 6, 2021.

Federal authorities said Robert Sanford Jr., 57, a retired firefighter from Chester, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon.

Sanford threw a fire extinguisher at three officers, striking them in the head while he as among the mob storming the Capitol building following a rally led by President Donald Trump.

Sanford was not the man who threw a fire extinguisher at Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from his injuries sustained during the unrest on Jan. 6.

Federal authorities said in addition to the fire extinguisher, Sanford a traffic cone in the direction of officers and screamed at officers, calling them "traitors."

Sanford was a member of the Chester Fire Department from January 1994 to February 2020, according to Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, who said the Jan. 6 events were akin to domestic terrorism.

He was seen on video and in photos wearing a Chester Fire Department winter hat.

"While Robert Sanford adorned a hat with a Fire Department logo, he is not a current employee of the city of Chester," Kirkland said. "As the First Amendment of our Constitution outlines the right to free speech and to peaceful assembly, the actions of the rioters in D.C. last week hinged on characteristics of domestic terrorism."

Sanford was arrested by Philadelphia FBI agents on Jan. 14, 2021.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17, 2023 and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties.