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A Lycoming County man has rejected the government’s plea offer to resolve charges against him stemming from the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Also, the government has rejected a counter offer from Mark R. Aungst, 46, of South Williamsport, that had him escape prosecution if he completed 50 hours of community service.
The rejections were revealed Friday during a telephone conference with District of Columbia federal Judge Reggie B. Walton.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fretto alerted Aungst any new plea offer will not be as lenient.
The one he rejected included pleading guilty to one count with the rest dismissed at sentencing, she said.
The government also has extended a plea offer to co-defendant Tammy A. Bronsburg, 50, of Williamsport. She did not say during the conference if she planned to accept or reject it.
The two are charged by criminal information with entering and disruptive conduct in a restricted building and violent entry and demonstrating to a Capitol building.
Walton continued their cases until Jan. 24, 2022, to allow the defense attorneys to review the vast amount of evidence they already have received and what the government anticipates providing.
“When is this going to come to an end?” the judge asked, indicating a desire to move the process forward.
“My client continues to be frustrated at how long it is taking,” William L. Welch III said about Aungst.
However, the attorney in agreeing to a continuance until January also said Aungst also wants him to be able to defend him.
Aungst and Bronsburg, who also goes by Tammy Butry, are among more than 650 charged after the Capitol was breached.
The two had traveled by chartered bus to the nation’s capital for a President Trump rally that preceded the Capitol riot.
An FBI affidavit filed in their case states they were observed on a cell phone video on the Senate side of the Capitol near the north entrance door.
The document alleges Bronsburg is the woman pictured in a Capitol hallway with blue Trump flag tied around her shoulders appearing to be taking a selfie.
Another of the pictures in the affidavit is one taken on a bus with August, who was wearing a Trump baseball cap, giving a thumb’s up gesture.
It was revealed in August the government has made a plea offer to Brian Gundersen, 27, of State College, who was charged separately.
He has been indicted on charges that include assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, engaging in physical violence, disruptive conduct and obstructing an official proceeding.
His Nov. 3 status conference was continued until Jan. 7, 2022, to give his attorney the opportunity to review material from the government.
All three are free on personal recognizance but prohibited from visiting Washington except for matters related to their charges.
More:
‘Q-Anon Shaman’ could get 4+ years in prison as the ‘public face of the Capitol riot’
Gym owner from N.J. receives harshest prison term so far for Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection
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