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Janesville man charged in U.S. Capitol breach

By: Associated Press//April 9, 2021//

Janesville man charged in U.S. Capitol breach

By: Associated Press//April 9, 2021//

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a Janesville man charged in the U.S. Capitol breach to stay away from the nation’s capital unless he has business in court.

Michael Fitzgerald, 42, is charged in the District of Columbia with illegally entering the Capitol Jan. 6 when a mob of Trump supporters created havoc as lawmakers were certifying the results of the November presidential election. Five people were killed in the chaos.

U.S. Magistrate Stephen Crocker on Thursday also ordered Fitzgerald to wear an ankle monitor while his case is pending.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman said the monitor was requested by prosecutors in Washington, who have sought the condition for everyone charged in the riot who is not in custody.

Fitzgerald’s attorney, Mark Eisenberg, objected to the ankle monitor request, telling Crocker that Fitzgerald would not want to put his family at risk by failing to comply with court orders.

Fitzgerald, appearing from his home during the video court hearing, is charged with obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, the State Journal reported.

A tipster identified Fitzgerald after the FBI issued a bulletin with photos of people who took part in the riot. Fitzgerald also called the FBI and admitted he was pictured in the bulletin, officials said.

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