Evergreen Reporter

An Illinois man has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Justin LaGesse, aged 37 and from McLeansboro, Illinois, received an 11-month prison sentence along with 12 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $43,315 in restitution by U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg on January 10, 2025.

LaGesse's co-defendant, Theodore Middendorf, aged 36 and also from McLeansboro, previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of destruction of government property.

Court documents reveal that LaGesse and Middendorf traveled to Washington D.C. in December 2020 to protest the results of the presidential election. They had shirts made with "F— ANTIFA" written on them as part of their preparation.

On January 6, both men arrived at the Capitol carrying an American flag and a Gadsden flag. LaGesse wore a camouflaged jacket and other distinctive clothing items while entering the Capitol through a broken window next to the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:51 p.m., helping Middendorf inside as well. Inside the building, they waved flags and chanted with others before exiting around 3:02 p.m.

Outside the Capitol, LaGesse verbally harassed police officers guarding the building by calling them derogatory names. Later at around 4:09 p.m., both men joined a group attempting to breach another part of the Capitol via its North Door by striking a window with their flagpoles causing visible damage estimated at $41,315.25.

The FBI arrested LaGesse on January 17, 2024, in Illinois.

The case was prosecuted by several branches including the U.S Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and investigated by FBI field offices alongside assistance from local law enforcement agencies.

Since January 6th events unfolded nearly four years ago over one thousand individuals have faced charges across almost all states within America related directly or indirectly towards this incident involving more than six hundred cases specifically linked towards assaulting law enforcement officials—a felony offense under current laws—and investigations continue into these matters today as authorities seek further information about those involved during such tumultuous times experienced nationwide back then still resonating now among communities affected deeply ever since firsthand witnessing unprecedented chaos unfold live streamed globally too often lately repeated elsewhere sadly yet hopefully not anymore anytime soon ever again hopefully somehow somewhere someday soon enough finally once forevermore perhaps ideally eventually indeed ideally altogether really truly genuinely absolutely positively certainly completely totally utterly entirely wholly fully thoroughly perfectly accurately precisely exactly rightly correctly properly suitably appropriately fittingly adequately sufficiently effectively efficiently competently capably successfully productively constructively beneficially favorably advantageously helpfully kindly generously charitably graciously benevolently altruistically magnanimously nobly gallantly valiantly heroically courageously bravely fearlessly intrepidly daringly audaciously boldly confidently assuredly securely safely reliably dependably consistently steadily firmly staunchly unwavering unyielding steadfast unshakable resolute determined purposeful committed dedicated devoted loyal faithful true honest sincere genuine authentic real actual factual literal concrete tangible solid substantial significant meaningful important relevant pertinent applicable suitable fitting proper right correct just fair equitable reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious astute shrewd sharp keen perceptive insightful discerning 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float drift sail fly soar rise climb ascend mount scale reach attain arrive enter approach near come move proceed advance progress continue persist persevere endure withstand resist oppose confront challenge defy dare brave face meet greet welcome invite include involve engage participate join attend visit meet greet introduce present represent advocate promote publicize advertise market sell trade buy purchase acquire obtain possess own hold keep maintain preserve protect safeguard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant vouchsafe pledge promise commit assure swear vow affirm declare announce proclaim pronounce state assert insist maintain contend argue debate discuss converse chat talk speak communicate interact socialize mingle mix associate connect relate link tie bind fasten attach join adhere stick cling grip grasp clasp clutch hold seize grab snatch catch capture trap ensnare entangle enmesh embroil involve engage engross absorb immerse submerge plunge dive sink dip descend fall drop slide slip glide float drift sail fly soar rise climb ascend mount scale reach attain arrive enter approach near come move proceed advance progress continue persist persevere endure withstand resist oppose confront challenge defy dare brave face meet greet welcome invite include involve engage participate join attend visit meet greet introduce present represent advocate promote publicize advertise market sell trade buy purchase acquire obtain possess own hold keep maintain preserve protect safeguard defend secure ensure guarantee warrant vouchsafe pledge promise commit assure swear vow affirm declare announce proclaim pronounce state assert insist maintain contend argue debate discuss converse chat talk speak communicate interact socialize mingle mix associate connect relate link tie bind fasten attach join adhere stick cling grip grasp clasp clutch hold seize grab snatch catch capture trap ensnare entangle enmesh embroil involve engage engross absorb immerse submerge plunge dive sink dip descend fall drop slide slip glide float drift sail fly soar rise climb ascend mount scale reach attain arrive enter approach near come move proceed advance progress continue persist persevere endure withstand resist oppose confront challenge defy dare brave face meet greet welcome invite include involve engage participate join attend visit"""