A Minnesota man who sprayed vinegar at Representative Ilhan Omar during a public town hall in January was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Thursday, according to court records.

Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer after admitting he prepared a syringe containing a water and apple cider vinegar mixture and attended the Minneapolis event with the intent to target the Somali‑American congresswoman. The attack occurred on 27 January, nearly eight months before the sentencing, and was carried out amid heightened tensions over local immigration enforcement that had sparked protests and confrontations between demonstrators and federal officers.

U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen imposed the prison term followed by three years of supervised release, during which Kazmierczak is barred from contacting Omar. The judge emphasized that the act was premeditated, noting that he had purchased tickets to the forum weeks in advance and deliberately chose to confront an elected official.

During the hearing, Kazmierczak appeared visibly shaken, his hands trembling as he sat at the defense table. He spoke quietly, expressing remorse for the incident and apologizing to Omar for the distress caused. His attorney, John Fossum, argued that Kazmierczak’s behavior was influenced by untreated mental health issues and a recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which had been exacerbated by stress and medication lapses.

Prosecutors had recommended a 14‑month sentence, citing evidence that Kazmierczak had communicated plans to target Omar in texts to multiple contacts and had sought assistance with bail arrangements. They also highlighted his history of alcohol abuse and ongoing health challenges linked to his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Omar, a refugee from Somalia and a frequent subject of former President Donald Trump’s anti‑immigrant rhetoric, was not physically harmed. Security personnel intervened immediately, subduing Kazmierczak and turning him over to Minneapolis police. The town hall continued after his arrest, and Omar resumed her remarks without injury.

The case unfolded against a backdrop of local unrest, with immigration crackdowns prompting frequent clashes between protesters and federal enforcement teams. Kazmierczak’s actions were framed by authorities as an isolated act of personal aggression rather than a politically motivated statement.

The sentencing underscores the legal consequences of targeting public officials and highlights the broader societal tensions surrounding immigration policy and political discourse in the United States.