Former cop who allegedly attacked police with flagpole during Capitol riots to be released from jail, placed on house arrest

A former Marine and New York Police Department officer who allegedly assaulted law enforcement with a metal flagpole during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol is being released from jail.

According to local media, a judge ordered Thomas Webster, who faces a handful of charges for his role in the riot, be released from jail this week and placed under house arrest as he awaits his trial. He is reportedly set to have a hearing in late August.

Webster, 54, was arrested in February for attacking police during the riot at the U.S. Capitol, when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building’s grounds as Congress prepared to certify election results affirming President Biden’s win in the November race. 

Webster is charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder.

In footage released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) this past month, Webster could be seen with the pole in hand as he berated law enforcement and appeared to assault officers, lunging toward them while holding the object. 

“You f—ing piece of shit. You f—ing Commie motherf—ers, man … Come on, take your shit off. Take your shit off,” Webster yelled at an officer before attacking him, according to the DOJ.

JUST IN: Capitol rioter Thomas Webster will be released from jail. He’s the ex-NYPD cop in this video attacking police with a flagpole. (red jacket) Judge Amit Mehta said his behavior was “indefensible” and he “should have known better,” but agreed to move him to house arrest. pic.twitter.com/syZdWE96oj

— Marshall Cohen (@MarshallCohen) June 29, 2021

In court, prosecutors read statements from a police officer whom Webster allegedly attacked during the riots, a local CBS affiliate reported.

“I remember when he charged … he pushed me to the ground and commenced to pull at my gas mask. I began to choke,” the officer reportedly said in the statement, adding that he thought Webster was trying to severely injure him, or worse. 

“He could have left my wife and two small children without a husband and a father,” the officer added. 

As part of the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta, Webster will reportedly be required to remain under house arrest 24/7. He will not be able to use social media or communication devices during the house arrest, the outlet reported, and he will also be placed on GPS monitoring.

He is one of hundreds who have been charged in connection to the insurrection, including a number of former and current police officers.