Fort Dodge, Iowa — The Colorado man who threw a glass of water on Republican Congressman Steve King has been sentenced to two years of probation.
Twenty-seven-year-old Blake Gibbins of Lafayette, Colorado, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a member of congress. The water-tossing incident happened on March 22nd last year, at a restaurant in Fort Dodge. In a plea agreement, Gibbins admitted it was wrong to intentionally throw a full glass of water on King. In addition to probation, court records show Gibbins was ordered to do 200 hours of community service. Congressman King says he’s disappointed in the sentence.
(As above) “I have seen two of my colleagues shot since I’ve been in congress, others assaulted,” King says. “There’s already been one copy cat crime committed against (Congressman) Matt Gaetz in Florida after this assault on me.”
King says he would have preferred a public apology and some jail time for Gibbons. King says Gibbons got money after the assault from well-wishers and that money should be donated to charity.
(As above) “Gibbons has received the proceeds from a Go Fund Me page in the amount of $5645. The fine needs to be much higher than that,” King says.
In a plea agreement, Gibbons admitted it was wrong to throw a glass of water on King. The incident happened nearly a year ago, at a restaurant in Fort Dodge.
(As above) “He took a 20 ounce glass of water and dumped that all over my head and just, you know, doused me with it,” King says. “And I jumped up and tackled him into a booth and I had some help from one of the other guys at the front that helped head him off at the pass…We held him there and the police force came from Fort Dodge and took him into custody.”
King says the mayor of Fort Dodge and other officials were at the table with him when the dousing happened. Gibbins’ attorney said Gibbins’ actions were out of character and may have resulted from recent emotional pressure. Gibbons, who had no prior criminal history, was in Iowa for a family funeral when he approached King.
