DENVER (KDVR) — A Littleton resident is receiving a pardon from President Donald Trump after participating in a violent protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Patrick Montgomery, 51, was sentenced to 37 months in prison by a federal judge after assaulting a police officer. Man convicted in Jan. 6 protest speaks out after pardon Montgomery spoke to FOX31 in an exclusive interview and told his story for the first time. He said he did not go to Washington D.C. seeking violence, but the gathering quickly escalated. “There's a part of me that wishes I had never gone. I didn't make any plans to go there, I felt like I was led by God to go there,” Montgomery said. Trump to promise ‘new era of national success’ in inaugural address Montgomery had never attended a political protest before, but wanted to show support for Trump, who had lost the presidential election in 2020. “We were there not to interfere with the certification of votes, we were there to see that certification play out in the hopes that Congress would not certify, in the hopes that Congress would put a pause on that certification process, just a 10 day pause, to investigate some of the claims of a fraud and manipulation of ballots. I didn't put much stock in those beliefs, but for me, it was an unconstitutionally held election,” he said. Montgomery said his group walked into a door of the Capitol building, were respectful of security officers and did not break any glass, but he then saw a group of protesters making their way upstairs from the Rotunda to the Senate Chamber. “I saw laptops on people's desks, and I saw paperwork that was there, and it became very apparent to me at that point that we had made a mistake,” he said. Montgomery recalls the crowd growing in size as anger escalated at the rally. “Upon arrival, there are things, you know, went downhill and things went from bad to worse really quick,” he said. Montgomery ended up in an altercation with a police officer. “When he turned and raised his baton towards me, I didn't have time to make a choice. I didn't go after him, I had no intention of trying to hurt Mr. Hodges, but yeah, I instinctually grabbed onto the baton, and as my right. I'm allowed to defend myself, that those are the simple laws of nature. and especially when you know police officers are acting outside the legal performance of their duties,” he said. Montgomery compares his experience to those filing complaints during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. “The difference was that the Black Lives Matter protesters were able to file lawsuits against the city of Denver,” he said. Montgomery went on to ask, “Why is it any different because it's a conservative group in support of Donald Trump?” Protestor expresses condolences and gratitude for pardon After learning of his pardon, Montgomery expressed gratitude to Trump. “He made it clear that it’s not like these people have not suffered any consequences, they're not getting going scot-free, we've spent time in prison, we've lost our fortunes,” he said. What executive orders did Trump sign on day 1 of presidency? Montgomery also expressed words of support to police officers and their families, as he insisted that he remains a true patriot. “What happened that day was awful, and what those officers that had to go through was awful, but it was also awful for the American citizens and my deepest condolences to the officers' families my deepest condolences to even officer Hodges, and I've apologized to him," said Montgomery. "I've tried to make it very clear that it was never my intention to try to hurt him or harm any other officers, but we were put in a position where we felt we were, had to react to the immediate environment around us and, you know, we may have made some wrong decisions, and I hold myself accountable for those, but they don't add up to felony crimes and three years in prison and four years on home incarceration. The punishment has got to fit the crime." Many fear pardoning Montgomery and others involved in the events that took place on Jan. 6 will set a dangerous precedent in the United States moving forward by encouraging more violent protests. “Not any more than the precedent of pardoning your son that you know is also guilty of crimes,” Montgomery said. Montgomery is referring to former President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter. 'I still to this day don't condone that behavior' When asked about how he would react if a group stormed the Capitol in protest of Trump’s 2024 election win, Montgomery offered this response. “I still to this day don't condone that behavior. You know, to be honest with you, I felt that the people that were actually breaking windows trying to get into the Capitol building, that those police officers, they would've been within their rights had they shot some of those protesters,” Montgomery said. Russia warns Trump against seizing Panama Canal He said his family has received death threats, and his business has suffered since his involvement in the protests were made public. “My company's been ruined, my reputation; I had a good standing within my outdoor community. I was one of the most respected hunting guides and consultants in the country. That's all gone,” he said. As he reflects on his decisions on Jan. 6, 2021, Montgomery considers different choices he would have made and said he never would have entered the U.S. Capitol. “You know, if it wasn't for this pardon, I would also (have) four years on home incarceration, three years inside of prison, and followed by three more years of supervised probation. That's 10 years of my life for grabbing onto a baton,” Montgomery said.