CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that David G. Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a member of Congress using a dangerous weapon. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who is handling the case, stated that on July 21, 2022, New York Congressman Lee Zeldin, a Republican candidate for Governor of New York, attended a gubernatorial campaign event in Perinton, NY. During the event, Congressman Zeldin was speaking from the bed of a flatbed trailer. Jakubonis walked onto the trailer, approached the Congressman, extended a keychain with two sharp points toward him and grabbed his arm. A struggle then ensued between Congressman Zeldin and Jakubonis and, as bystanders intervened, Jakubonis pulled Congressman Zeldin down onto the bed of the trailer, stating several times during the assault, “you’re done.” Jakubonis was subdued and arrested.
The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marion W. Payson and is being held pending a detention hearing on July 27, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the U.S. Capitol Police, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Chad Beckett, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Catholdi.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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