A 27-year-old Chicago man faces felony and misdemeanor fees for allegedly collaborating within the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Patrick Gorski, 27, was arrested Thursday and charged with a felony rely of obstruction of regulation enforcement throughout civil dysfunction and 4 misdemeanor offenses: coming into and remaining in a restricted constructing or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted constructing or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol constructing and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol constructing.
He was launched pending trial, in accordance with court docket paperwork.
Gorski joins greater than 50 different Illinois residents charged in relation to the rebellion, in accordance with prosecutors with the Northern District Courtroom of Illinois.
Gorski attended the “Cease the Steal” rally earlier than marching towards the Capitol constructing with others, prosecutors mentioned. Sporting a “Make America Nice Once more” hoodie and hat, he climbed a wall onto the northwest stairs, taking selfies and serving to different rioters take away tarps from the inaugural scaffolding and passing a motorcycle rack to others within the mob.
The group broke the police line whereas Gorski allegedly shouted “That is our home” and “Allow us to in,” earlier than he made his technique to the Decrease West Terrace Tunnel, prosecutors mentioned. He’s then alleged to have entered once more close to the Senate Wing door at 3:14 p.m. earlier than attempting to re-enter the constructing by the East Rotunda Doorways, although police stored him and others out.
Gorski, who beforehand labored as a contract photographer in Chicago, informed investigators he hadn’t been on the riot however was in Washington sightseeing, in accordance with court docket paperwork. He additionally mentioned anybody who alleged he was there was solely doing so due to his political beliefs.
In messages obtained by investigators, Gorski typically shared election conspiracies and later mentioned being there with buddies, in accordance with court docket paperwork.
“Final time this occurred it was performed by the British in 1812 regardless this was one of the historic issues ever,” he wrote in a message to a pal Jan. 6, 2021. “Zero media masking it when it was really occurring [sic] I used to be the closest factor to a photographer there.”
After not less than 4 ideas recognized him as somebody who had been a part of the riot, he started messaging individuals he thought had despatched the guidelines, in accordance with court docket paperwork.
“I did nothing fallacious lol please put me within the choose j6 committee [sic] to indicate it was individuals such as you that gave up our nation,” he mentioned to a pal he believed gave the FBI tips about his whereabouts that day. “I don’t know what you thought you’d get out of it by submitting my title to a database when it’s already public.”
One other Illinois man charged within the assault, Theodore Middendorf of McLeansboro, has now sought to delay a responsible plea ensuing from the riot. His lawyer argued that Trump’s election means “there shall be an upcoming, possible important, change in administration and uncertainty” round how such circumstances will play out.
Trump has promised to pardon those that have been prosecuted for his or her position within the assault, which more than 50 Illinois residents had been charged for.
Contributing: Jon Seidel
