Wisconsinites Charged in Jan. 6 Insurrection Quietly Take Plea Deals

Four of six Wisconsin men charged in attack on nation’s Capitol have pleaded guilty to lesser charges, while two others’ cases are still moving through the court system.

One year after the attack on the US Capitol, four out of the six Wisconsinites charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection have taken plea deals, while the remaining two suspects’ cases are still underway.

Kevin Loftus of Eau Claire, Abram Markofski of La Crosse, David Charles Mish Jr. of West Allis, and Brandon Nelson of Madison had all faced charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and violent entry or disorderly conduct, but ended up pleading guilty to the lesser charge of parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Markofski and Nelson were each sentenced to 24 months of probation and $1,500 in fines and restitution. Charles received 30 days incarceration and a $500 restitution charge. Loftus’ sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31.

RELATED: ‘This is a Coup’: WI Officials Blast Melee at US Capitol, Reject Comparisons to 2011

The two remaining suspects’—Michael Fitzgerald of Janesville and Joshua Munn of Melrose—cases are still underway. 

Fitzgerald faces the more serious charge of obstructing a law enforcement officer during civil disorder, as well as knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on May 5, 2021.

Attacking Officers

According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald was part of a group that pushed a podium in a doorway into Capitol Police who were using the podium as a barrier. Video footage showed members of the group punching and throwing objects at officers and trying to hit officers with a flagpole.

Munn faces similar charges to the suspects that have taken plea deals but has not had a hearing since his arrest on July 13. During his initial appearance, Munn waived his right to preliminary or detention hearings. Munn and four members of his family are accused of entering the Capitol through a window. 

According to court documents, Munn posted on Facebook that he and his family had participated in the march and did enter the Capitol building.

“There was no violence from the protesters at all it all came from the police believe it or not,” Munn wrote. “It was super cool everything was cool till the cop used tear gas that is when people got mad but still never hurt anyone.”

“Oh so u broke in?” someone replied. Munn said the window was already open.

Federal prosecutors told The Washington Post that more than 725 individuals have been charged nationwide for the attack on the Capitol.  Of those, around 640 were charged with unlawfully entering a federal building or grounds, 225 for assault or resisting arrest, around 75 for bringing a deadly weapon onto a restricted area, and 75 for using a deadly or dangerous weapon against police officers. 

One hundred and forty officers from the Capitol police and D.C. Metropolitan police department were injured during the attack.