VA Man Pleads Guilty To Assault Of Federal Officer In Atlanta

FAIRFAX, VA — A Fairfax man has pleaded guilty to assault of a federal officer and destruction of government property tied to a 2020 demonstration at a government office in Atlanta, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Richard Tyler Hunsinger, 29, admitted his guilt to the charges stemming from his use of a homemade explosive device during a protest which threatened the lives of two federal officers during the summer of 2020, according to a news release.

“The citizens of this district have the right to peacefully protest,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, in the release. “But those who exploit peaceful protests by committing acts of violence, like throwing Molotov cocktails into buildings where law enforcement agents are working, and destroying government property, must be held accountable.”

According to Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court, on July 23, 2020, Hunsinger began organizing a “Rally Against Fascism” set to occur at the Atlanta-Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

About 11:30 p.m. on July 25, 2020, a crowd gathered at the DHS building for the rally and protested outside a fenced area in front of the building. Hunsinger and others, wearing dark clothing and face coverings, breached the fences and began vandalizing the building, authorities said.

While the DHS building was occupied by at least two federal employees, Hunsinger smashed at least four windows of the front entry of the structure and then lit and threw a Molotov cocktail into the building through a smashed glass door. At the same time, other people threw rocks, cinder blocks, modified fireworks, more Molotov cocktails, and other materials, which caused damage to the building totaling more than $46,000.

“Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer or destroys government property is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety,” said Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, in a news release. “The FBI will not tolerate protesters who turn violent and destructive, and will aggressively pursue individuals that undermine the rule of law. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured during Hunsinger’s act of terror.”

The Atlanta Police Department said while everyone has a right to protest, if they use explosive devices during a protest, their actions become criminal and therefore they must be held accountable.

Hunsinger's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 24, 2023, before U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg.