Despite Claims of Brutal Attacks Against Law Officers, Teller Resident Exonerated
Trevor Phipps and Rick Langenberg
Shortly after violent rioters attempted to overtake the U.S. Capitol building to stop Joe Biden from assuming the presidency on January 6, 2021, a Teller County resident became an FBI-wanted sensation.
Robert Gieswein of Woodland Park (also known by local residents as “Machine Gun Bobby”) turned himself in shortly after the attack, when he was identified by U.S. Department of Justice and other federal officials as partaking in the U.S. Capitol carnage and actually emerging as one of the first rioters to enter the building. The Justice Department pursued an aggressive investigation against those who were reportedly involved in the assault against the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in a few deaths and many injuries.
Gieswein, whose arrest sparked worldwide media attention, was sentenced to four years in prison on June 23, 2023, after pleading guilty to two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered 36 months of supervised release, and restitution of $2,000 to the architect of the Capitol.
But those crimes are now in the past.
Following a decision by President Donald Trump during the Jan. 20 Inauguration Day to grant pardons and commutations to about 1,500 defendants charged in the U.S. Capitol riots, it could just be a matter of time before the infamous Machine Gun Bobby is seen on the streets of Teller County swinging around a loaded AK-47. Gieswein was known for openly carrying notable weapons around Woodland Park and for participating in local protests against government restrictions, such as the COVID mandates.
On his first day in office, President Trump didn’t waste any time following through with his campaign promise to pardon just about everyone involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, including “Machine Gun Bobby.” His pardons included at least 20 Coloradoans, who have been tried and convicted of crimes stemming from the infamous assault on the Capitol, according to report in the Washington Examiner. Some of the other notable local accused rioters, who now received pardons, were Klete Keller, a former U.S. Olympian from Colorado Springs; and Rebecca Larenz of Falcon, nicknamed the “Praying Grandma”.”
“They’ve been treated very unfair,” Trump announced to reporters, as part of his inauguration action, which included a hefty list of executive orders. Most of these orders dealt with campaign promises he made as he sought a return to the White House.
Although, Gieswein’s name was not specifically mentioned in the executive order put out by the 47th president, Trump’s sweeping clemency action for nearly all of the Jan. 6, 2021 rioters will clear the way for the Woodland Park man’s release. Gieswein’s previous hearings in this federal case sparked much controversy.
“Acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I do hereby grant a full, complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” the president stated in the executive order issued on Martin Luther King Day. “The Attorney General shall administer and effectuate the immediate issuance of certificates of pardon to all individuals described in section (b) above and shall ensure that all individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, who are currently held in prison are released immediately.”
At press time, Gieswein’s status was currently unknown as he was still listed as being incarcerated on the United States Department of Justice website. If he hadn’t been released for time served before receiving the presidential pardon, then it should be only a matter of days or weeks before he joins other high profile U.S. Capitol protestors in gaining his freedom. This list includes Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers militia. They all played central roles in the Capitol attack.
According to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gieswein was dressed in “a camouflage paramilitary kit, and he was carrying a baseball bat” when he pushed past Capitol police officers attempting to set up a barrier. Gieswein then forced his way through a window to illegally enter the Capitol building.
Gieswein was one of the first rioters to enter the building after officials contend he bear-sprayed several police officers. Once inside the building, Gieswein attempted to punch one officer as he tried to push his way down the hallway that led to the office of Nancy Paloski, the House Speaker at the time.
For the most part, Trump’s actions were greeted by much adulation by members of the Republican Party. Teller County Commission Chairman Dan Williams, a local Republican leader, stated in an email that Trump in his inauguration address succeeded in “setting a clear vision for the future and has an opportunity to unify the nation as we face incredible obstacles and challenges. I wish him God Speed.”
Democratic leaders, though, have heavily criticized these executive order actions, especially the clemency awarded to the Jan. 6 rioters, whom they refer to as dangerous criminals responsible for killing and injuring law enforcement officers and threatening the lives of members of Congress and the nation’s Vice-President.