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Seattle man charged with assaulting federal officer during violent protests at U.S. Capitol

A Seattle man was charged this week with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during violent protests at the U.S. Capitol.

Mark J. Leffingwell, 51, was also charged with entering a restricted building without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to court documents.

The violent protests Wednesday left five dead, including a U.S. Capitol Police officer who sustained injuries while on duty.

In documents, Officer Daniel Amendola with the Capitol Police said he encountered Leffingwell while he was attempting to form a barrier to stop more people from getting into the building.

Leffingwell allegedly attempted to push past the officers, and when he was stopped, he repeatedly punched Amendola, documents state. The officer said he was hit in the helmet and the chest.

Amendola, with the help of other officers, detained Leffingwell and brought him to police headquarters for processing.

Leffingwell was later released to his wife and will call in to pretrial proceedings in D.C., according to a statement from the Department of Justice.