David Moerschel sat down with Gulf Coast News Wednesday about his experience during the January 6th Capitol riot.
He claims he was pushed into the capitol by the crowd.
"The only reason why I even climbed the steps of the Capitol that day was because we heard that the Oath Keeper medic was treating people outside the doorway," said Moerschel. "The only reason for me to even go up the stairs was to help render aid to the medic that was already there."
He removed himself from the Oath Keepers group the day after, which he said he was only in 18 days before the riot.
"I know that if you're going to be indicted or if you're going to be in trouble with another group of people, then it's best to remove yourself from that group," he said.
He served a quarter of his three-year sentence. A time he calls terrible.
"I have three small children at home, and you only get 15 minutes a day," he said. "It just broke my heart every single day, calling my family and hearing my children and barely even being able to talk to my wife."
On January 20th, he said he was shocked to see President Donald Trump commuted his sentence but did not pardon him.
"I think that this is a great opportunity for us because the spotlight is on us," he said. "When you're innocent, your innocence will shine."
He and his attorney, Scott Weinberg, are fighting for a full pardon so that Moerschel can go back to working in the medical field.
"I used to work in the operating room," he said. "I need to be able to do that. I can't do that without the pardon."
He is extremely grateful the commutation brought him back home to his family in Punta Gorda.
"I absolutely regret going," he said. "It has destroyed my life. It has destroyed my reputation."