An Illinois man was sentenced to nearly a year in federal prison for breaking a window during the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021.
Justin LaGesse, 38, from McLeansboro, about 300 miles south of Chicago, received an 11-month prison sentence, followed by one year of supervised release. He had admitted to a felony charge of property destruction in September. LaGesse was also ordered to pay $43,315 in restitution for the damage he caused when he used a flagpole to break an exterior window at the Capitol.
LaGesse’s co-defendant, 37-year-old Theodore Middendorf, also from McLeansboro, pleaded guilty to the same charge. His sentencing will take place on February 12.
LaGesse and Middendorf entered the Capitol through a broken window around 2:50 p.m. and walked toward the central area of the building known as the crypt. After leaving the Capitol, they approached a line of police officers behind a barricade. LaGesse insulted the officers, calling them “traitors” and “communist scum.” The two men then moved to the north side of the building, where other rioters were trying to break through a door. They struck a window multiple times with their flagpoles. LaGesse carried a yellow flag with the message “Don’t Tread on Me,” while Middendorf held an American flag.
The two men had planned to travel to Washington in December 2020 to join other supporters of then-President Donald Trump in protesting the results of the 2020 presidential election.
More than 50 people from Illinois have been charged in connection with the January 6 riot. Over 1,500 individuals across the country have been arrested for their involvement in the attack.
Former President Trump has promised to pardon many of those charged in the Capitol attack if he retakes office later this month.
