Columbia man heads to prison for police attack during George Floyd protests
A Columbia man was sentenced to prison Thursday after admitting he threw a barricade at a police officer during a protest in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Luis Rosario, 30, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Mary Lewis for his involvement in a Columbia protest over Floyd’s death on May 30, 2020. During the protest, Rosario admitted to throwing bottles at police followed by a barricade, which struck a Columbia police officer in the head, requiring seven stitches.
Rosario’s attorney, Jenny Smith, a federal public defender, argued her client should receive probation in lieu of prison time. But Lewis maintained she needed to send a message that violence during a protest is inexcusable.
“Protesting is a (fundamental) right we all have, and it’s especially needed during today’s environment,” Lewis said. “But the moment you cross that line of violence, it’s not going to be tolerated. We’ve got to maintain order.”
Rosario, who did not previously have a criminal record, faced a maximum of five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing justice, impeding and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.
But in light of Rosario’s remorse and statements of support for him from family and community members, Lewis appeared to show a degree of leniency in her sentence.
“I totally understand the wrongdoing I did,” Rosario tearfully told Lewis Thursday. “I wouldn’t want (what happened to the officer) to happen to any of my loved ones, and I’m deeply remorseful.”
Rosario, a father and husband, was joined by his mother, brother and pastor, who all said he acted out of character and that he would never again appear before Lewis.
Rosario’s mother, Elisa Rosario, who worked for the state Department of Corrections for over 18 years, said her son was not a violent person.
“It was a moment (during the protest) where he was a follower,” she said. “It was a moment that didn’t match his character, integrity and faith.”
A bench warrant for Rosario’s arrest was issued on Aug. 1, 2023.
For the past two years, he’s been on supervised pre-trial release, where Smith said he has not gotten into any further trouble while continuing to work and provide for his family.
“He’s a father, has a job and is a man that can live a law abiding life,” Smith told Lewis in her plea for a probationary versus custodial sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall, who objected to Rosario being solely sentenced to probation.
Following prison time, Rosario must serve two years of supervised release.
