Anthony James Kazmierczak, 56, was sentenced Thursday to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to assaulting Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar during a Jan. 27 town hall in Minneapolis. He will also be prohibited from contacting Omar.

According to federal prosecutors, Kazmierczak was sitting in the front row when Omar was speaking about immigration enforcement and calling for then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign. He then approached Omar with a syringe and sprayed her with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar, shouting, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart.” Security officers quickly tackled him and turned him over to police.

Laboratory testing later identified the liquid as containing acetic acid consistent with apple cider vinegar. Omar was not seriously injured and continued the town hall after the brief interruption.

Federal prosecutors said the attack was planned in advance. Investigators found that Kazmierczak had obtained a ticket to the event weeks beforehand and had made arrangements for his dog and possible bail before attending the town hall. He pleaded guilty in May and admitted that he disagreed with Omar's political views.

U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen said the attack was not a political statement and described it as “misguided, selfish, and inconsistent with any concept of a free or democratic society.” She also noted that Kazmierczak knew spraying something at an elected official would be terrifying.

Kazmierczak has Parkinson's disease, and his attorney pointed to his mental and emotional health problems during sentencing. Kazmierczak also apologized to Omar.

The Justice Department characterized the case as an act of political violence. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said Kazmierczak chose to assault a member of Congress rather than use the electoral process, while FBI officials said attacks on elected officials cannot be tolerated.