Rioter who brought his 10-year-old to Capitol gets prison time. A former CEO and Donald Trump donor who stormed the U.S. Capitol and threw a chair in the direction of police officers during the Jan. 6 attack was sentenced to 30 days incarceration on Friday. Campaign finance records show that he contributed thousands of dollars to Donald Trumps 2020 campaign. He was among 13 charged Thursday with various federal offenses, many for unlawful entry, according to the Department of Justice. Fitzgerald also was charged with a curfew violation. I think its horrible that somebody broke their way in, she said. He called it "the single worst decision of my life" and said he regrets taking part. The Chicago-based firm @properties said on Twitter it fired Libby Andrews after she posted on social media about storming the Capitol, saying the company does not condone violence, destruction or illegal activities., Chicago real estate agent Libby Andrews, foreground, poses at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Two Chicago Suburbanites Arrested in D.C. | WBEZ Chicago Area Ceo, Suburban Tattoo Artist Among Those Arrested at Capitol Rukstales was president and CEO of the Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia. He called it "the single worst decision of my life" and said he regrets taking part. Steele-Smith was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do and knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of government business or official functions. I think its horrible that happened. I have no idea why he went there, she said of the Trump rally. She said @properties didnt listen to her side of the story before terminating her employment, but company spokesman Peter Olesker said the decision was made based on the words and photos Andrews posted. "Cogensia President and CEOBrad Rukstaleshas been terminated by the company's Board of Directors effective immediately," the company announced in a release. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. / CBS Chicago. Bradley Rukstales, the 52-year-old CEO and president of Cogensia, confirmed his arrest by Capitol Police for unlawful entry in Washington on Wednesday to WBEZ. Capitol riots: Police arrest man carrying Pelosi's lectern The campaign contributor to President Trump said the first arrest of his life was the result of extremely poor judgment as he followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to invade the Capitol which resulted in one woman being fatally shot, three others dying from medical emergencies and a Capitol Police officer succumbing to injuries. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. She was photographed on the east steps not far from the door, wearing a Trump knit cap and making peace signs in a throng of people, but said she did not enter the building. Sean Carlo Cordon, the third rioter sentenced Friday, received just probation. Bradley Rukstales was the CEO of Schaumburg-based Cogensia, which first acknowledged his arrest in a statement on social media and said he had been on leave while they "asses further." @properties said in a statement that agent Libby Andrews was in Washington, D.C., during the riots at the U.S. Capitol and has since been terminated "effective immediately. Have a tip or story idea? Confrontational Chicago police union boss John Catanzara Jr. wins reelection, Oscar Lawton Wilkerson Jr., last known surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen in Chicago area, died at 96, When it comes to Madonnas plastic surgery: Its her body and her choice, Here are five takeaways from Chicagos municipal election. I think its horrible that happened. The Court sentencing Ms. Ryan understandably concluded that for her, incarceration was a necessary deterrent, unlike Mr. Rukstales, who has consistently and publicly expressed remorse for his participation., In a statement after his sentencing, Rukstales said he was sorry for my actions that day and accept the courts decision. He said he had come to realize the weight of my actions, and immensely regret following others into the Capitol., I greatly appreciate the support of my family, friends, colleagues, and community. Brad Rukstales, the CEO of Chicago-based tech company Cogensia, claimed attending the Capitol riot was the "worst personal decision of his life." Rukstales, who resides in the Chicago suburbs,. (U.S. DIstrict Court records). 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This agent was not only present for these events, she publicly boasted about them and celebrated them.. Rukstales was one of a small number of Capitol riot defendants who were actually arrested on Jan. 6. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time - and I regret my part in that. Keep poking us.. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Former Chicago-area CEO sentenced to 30 days in prison for role in Jan Charging documents say he "picked up one of the chairs at the bottom of the stairwell, and threw it in the direction of where the officers had retreated down the corridor.". I was arrested for the first time in my life and charged with unlawful entry.. Dec 31, 2022 For 25 years die-hard Michigan Wolverines fans have endured a roller coaster of agony and close calls. When it comes to personal life, Bradley Rukstales hasn't spoken much about his love life. When told that the officer who Leffingwell had struck was me, Leffingwell apologized to me for striking me, the complaining officer wrote. Not all of his family agreed with his behavior or his politics, however. They were the latest in a series of posts Fitzgerald uploaded to social media over the last few days documenting his road trip to Washington, a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and the pro-Trump demonstrations. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Driver crashes into building after shooting, Man hospitalized with serious injuries after fire, Aurora, Chicago among the happiest cities in the. I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington., Rukstales company put a statement on its Facebook page saying, We have been informed that our CEO, Brad Rukstales, participated in the recent Washington, D.C., protests. A suburban tech company executive who was among dozens of people arrested Wednesday in Washington, D.C., after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol has been charged in federal court and fired from his job. Fitzgerald posted a video that was taken near the Capitol on his Facebook page at about 7 p.m. Wednesday , a few hours after the violent insurrection. Funny. There were signs of a violent riot everywhere, and he willingly joined it, federal prosecutors wrote. He has also lived in other parts of the U.S. including California, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. He later apologized for his role, saying in part, My decision to enter the Capitol was wrong, and I am deeply regretful to have done so. I do not condone his actions that have led to those charges. I look forward to putting this chapter behind me with the knowledge that in the years to come I will prove myself worthy of forgiveness by living the values that have guided me as a productive and peaceful citizen for the past 53 years.. A spokeswoman for Cogensia on Thursday said Rukstales was put on a leave of absence pending the companys investigation of the matter. Among other things, he is alleged to have explored plans to bring weapons into Washington, D.C., using pickup trucks or boats to transport them across the Potomac River at a critical moment. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. "In a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in . On January 8, the company's board of directors fired him as president and CEO of Cogensia marketing firm. November 4, 2021 / 9:57 PM Former Inverness tech CEO Bradley Rukstales has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for his role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Rukstales also apologized to his family, colleagues and fellow countrymen for his actions. #GoBlue 109 181 1,702 Navy veteran cops among VA residents charged Capitol riots When do they dye the Chicago River Green? Court documents state that Sidorski, 46, was identified by two former employees from video footage taken in the Capitol. The 34-year-old was seen on police body-worn camera footage among a crowd of rioters using sticks and other items as weapons to assault police officers protecting the building. Wife of missing California DJ says he 'will not be coming back' 7 minutes ago . 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He hosted members at his Virginia home in Clarke County for a Nov. 14 pro-Trump protest in Washington that turned violent, prosecutors alleged. Their continued encouragement, and the grace they have shown me, are proof that one brief and thoughtless moment does not need to define a persons entire life. Sidorski was charged with four counts related to violent entry into the restricted grounds of the Capitol, CNN reported. Judge Carl Nichols is allowing Rukstales to turn himself in at a later date. Rukstales, 52, has been a campaign contributor to Trump and was the CEO and president of Cogensia, a marketing consulting firm based in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Fitzgerald was not among the 13 charged in federal court Thursday. Washington, D.C. U.S.. A review of online footage and photos of Nancy Pelosis office by law enforcement agents confirms that the posted photos do indeed appear to be photos of her office, the FBI affidavit says. As police yelled for people to leave, one of the officers brushed up against Rukstales from behind his arm stretched out toward officers. . In a statement Thursday night, Rukstales apologized for his actions. Bauer told FBI agents on Jan. 8 that he and his wife traveled from Kentucky to Winchester to stay with Hemenway from Jan. 1 to Jan. 5 ahead of the rally. Bradley Rukstales was president and CEO of Cogensia, a tech company in Schaumburg, Ill., when he entered the Capitol with hundreds of radical supporters of former President Donald Trump. Indian Trail, High Street intersection work approved in Aurora, Suspect in high-speed chase crashes into, kills veteran Indiana State Trooper trying to stop him: officials, Educators get peek at Paramount play about artificial intelligence which is set to tour schools, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. sentenced her to 60 days in federal prison. In a video David Fitzgerald posted to his Facebook page, members of the media and Trump supporters were wandering among police officers, asking how they could leave an area enclosed by fences. Robertson also stated that he was proud of the photo in an Instagram Post that was shared to Facebook, because he was willing to put skin in the game, according to the FBI documents. He added: "I had nothing to do with charging anybody or anything or any of that. LaRock attended the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally in D.C. but said he did not enter the U.S. Capitol. WASHINGTON A former suburban tech CEO was sentenced to 30 days in jail Friday for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The right IN ONE DAY took the f***** U.S. Capitol. It said that, following the declaration of a 6 p.m. curfew in D.C., a Metropolitan Police officer was escorting people past a police line at 7:25 p.m. and noticed a bulge on Alberts right hip. It said Alberts was also wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a backpack. Four people lost . I had no idea people were breaking in and that destruction was happening, she said. Rukstales told the judge that he was "careful . A U.S. Capitol police officer affidavit filed in the case described the melee. A suburban Chicago man and the CEO of a data analytics firm who was arrested during the U.S. Capitol riot has been charged for his involvement in the events, according to the Department of Justice. Bradley Rukstales, of Inverness, was charged Thursday with "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.". But Andrews, 56, said she was unaware anything illegal was happening. "Cogensia condemns what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and we intend to continue to embrace the values of integrity, diversity and transparency in our business operations, and expect all employees to embrace those values as well. Bradley Rukstales, a now-former CEO of a data analytics firm named Cogensia, was allegedly among those who were arrested inside the Capitol building after they "willfully refused the order to . In a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside, he said in part. "The officer immediately turned around, brought Rukstales to the ground, and he and another officers dragged Rukstales behind their defensive line to be arrested," the charges alleged. On Wednesday, Rukstales was arrested on the upper level of the Capitol, near the U.S. House of Representatives, during the riot by supporters of President Donald Trump, court records show.. It's also been important to me to control my own destiny. All of those charges are on the table. Heres how. Bradley Rukstales, CEO of marketing consultancy Cogensia, has reportedly acknowledged entering the Capitol during the riots. All members of the sextet were arrested. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. His wife, Jeanette, said her husband, a disabled veteran, never went into the Capitol building itself. The CEO of a data analytics firm who was arrested during the U.S. Capitol riot has been terminated from his role, the company announced Friday. In a post to Twitter this Thursday, Rukstales' employer announced that he has been placed on leave while they assessed the situation. Another video retrieved by law enforcement of that altercation clearly shows MELLIS actions, and even further captures MELLIS repeatedly striking and making stabbing movements towards the officers with the weapon in his hand. Hemenway pleaded not guilty to the charges against him on Friday, Feb. 12. Detectives were questioning a person who was inside the home at the time. I mean, it was great to see a whole bunch of people together in the morning, and hear the speeches, but, uh, yeah, it turned into chaos, he recalled late Thursday. 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The pair were among six individuals positioned toward the front of a crowd close to Capitol Police Officers who were responding to the rioters, a Capitol Police officer said in a statement of fact. Authorities identified Steele-Smith by reviewing surveillance footage and comparing her Facebook photos to her drivers license. [emailprotected], Law&Crime's managing editor Adam Klasfeld has spent more than a decade on the legal beat. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington. Dan Mihalopoulos is an investigative reporter on WBEZs Government & Politics Team. My office, along with our law enforcement partners at all levels, have been expeditiously working and leveraging every resource to identify, arrest, and begin prosecuting these individuals who took part in the brazen criminal acts at the U.S. Capitol. We will bring the most maximum charges we can, he said. Rukistales was the first Illinois resident to plead guilty in the riots. ", Rukstales, of Inverness, was charged Thursday with "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; or knowingly, with intent to impede government business or official functions, engaging in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.". According to court records, Hemenway lured his estranged wife to a hotel in 2004 where he handcuffed her and duct-taped her mouth shut. We are resolute in our commitment to holding accountable anyone responsible for these disgraceful criminal acts, and to anyone who might be considering engaging in or inciting violence in the coming weeks know this: you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law., Rukstales appeared to address his involvement in a statement on Twitter, saying "in a moment of extremely poor judgment following the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, I followed hundreds of others through an open set of doors to the Capitol building to see what was taking place inside.". I was very careful when I was with the chair to make sure that nobody was within striking distance, Rukstales told U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee. We've received your submission. . Chicago Tech CEO Arrested, Charged Unlawful Entry at US - Insider Rukstales agreed to speak to CBS affiliate WBBM in Chicago, which taped him describing how the rally descended into chaos. The station captured his quiet suburban life in Inverness, an upscale village in Cook County, Illinois. He could not be reached for comment. He was further ordered to pay Restitution of $500 and Special Assessment of $10. The GM and coach seem to be more cohesive than Ryan Pace was with Matt Nagy and John Fox. It was the second inmate death at the jail within two days. The curfew declared by Mayor Muriel Bowser took effect at 6 p.m. Other videos posted on Fitzgeralds page Wednesday show him milling among Trump supporters outside the Capitol and getting moved back by police while some shout, Traitors!. My husband is a disabled (Army) veteran. ", The company said Andrews "acknowledged on social media that she took part in 'storming the Capitol. Sweet and Fitchett, of Matthews County were charged with refusing to leave the Capitol after entering the building on Jan. 6. Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lauschs spokesman, Joseph Fitzpatrick, said, Should we determine there is a legal nexus between the crimes committed at the Capitol and our jurisdiction here in Illinois, we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible.. A person who claimed to have worked with Sidorski at ADESA Washington, D.C., a vehicle auction company in the Dulles area, from sometime in 2016 until April 2020 also informed the FBI they received the same video showing a man inside the Capitol with the American Supremacist sweatshirt. Without qualification and as a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, I condemn the violence and destruction that took place in Washington.. In a phone conversation we had the other day, he told me that he believes he got too involved and he has learned how dangerous it is to get too deeply involved in a political movement instead of focusing on the love and service that Christ calls of us.. Eric Gavalek . Rukstales is the CEO of a suburban Illinois company. Rukstales, CEO of Schaumburg-based tech company Cogensia, was one of the people arrested by police after a group of domestic terrorists stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attack. A Chicago-area man who lost his job as CEO of a tech firm because he participated in the Jan. 6 post-election unrest at the U.S. Capitol was sentenced Friday. Eric Munchel. She claimed he did not take part in the storming of the Capitol building. . And thats all Im comfortable saying.. Rioter who brought his 10-year-old to Capitol gets prison time Another suburban man also was arrested Wednesday, according to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Another law-enforcement agency in Washington, the Metropolitan Police Department, said they arrested David Fitzgerald, 48, and charged him with unlawful entry on federal ground and breaking curfew near the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday evening. A U.S. Capitol Police officer died from injuries Friday. He was released on personal recognizance on 1/12/21. Fitzgerald was not among the 13 charged in federal court Thursday.