At least 32 people from Illinois charged in connection with breach of U.S. Capitol; trial for Quincy couple set for April 17

More than 860 people from nearly all 50 states have been arrested in connection with the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 

The Chicago Sun-Times published a list on Wednesday of at least 32 known residents who face charges for their role in the incident and the status of their court date. A Quincy couple is on that list, and their trial is set for April 17, 2023.

Jason and Christina Gerding were charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. A criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia on Jan. 21, 2021. They were arrested Jan. 27, 2021.

They are accused of wrongly entering the Capitol and posing for a photograph in the Capitol Rotunda that was posted on a Twitter account with the tagline of “We The People Have Woken.” 

The attack caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage to the Capitol and triggered what the Sun-Times called “the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history.”

The Sun-Times reported a photo surfaced on social media of the Gerdings wearing “Trump 2020” attire in what appeared to be the Capitol Rotunda, along with the words “Quincy made it inside.” Federal records show someone in a Facebook chat replied, “hope they lock yours (sic) a** up,” and someone with the username of “Christina Gerding” replied, “well since they let us inside; opened the door for us I think I’ll be just fine.”

Other Illinoisians arrested were:

• Thomas B. Adams of Springfield, who allegedly carried a “Trump” flag on the floor of the U.S. Senate during the breach. His trial is set for March 13, 2023.
• Matthew Bokoski of Chicago, who allegedly wore a “Trump 2020” flag as a cape and spent four or five minutes in the Capitol with his father. His case is pending.
• Matthew Capsel of Ottawa, who pled guilty to interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder. He faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing is set for Dec. 16.
• Trudy Castle of Elmhurst and Kimberly DiFrancesco of Elmhurst both pled guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Their sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 22.
• Karol Chwiesiuk, a Chicago police officer, allegedly shared pictures of himself inside U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office and bragging in text messages about his role in the Capitol breach. His case is set for trial May 1, 2023.
• Jim Bob Elliott of Aurora, an admitted member of the Proud Boys, allegedly shouted “patriots, what is your occupation” before thrusting a flagpole he was carrying toward police. His case is pending.
• Roy Franklin of Springfield allegedly made his way to the floor of the U.S. Senate during the breach. His case is pending.
• Daniel Leyden of Chicago and Joseph Leyden of LaGrange are charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding law enforcement officers. Their cases are pending.
• Larry Ligas of Chicago allegedly spent eight minutes wandering around the Capitol Rotunda. His case is pending.
• Kevin Lyons of Chicago allegedly entered the Capitol and took a photo of a plaque outside Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. His case is pending.
• Shawn Woods of Auburn, who faces up to eight years in prison for assaulting a law enforcement officer. Sentencing is set for Jan. 13, 2023.

Other Illinoisians who have pled guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building are:

• Anthony Carollo of Lockport, Jeremiah Carollo of Glen Carbon and Cody Vollan of Flossmoor. Anthony Carollo and Vollan were each sentenced to one year of probation. Jeremiah Carollo was sentenced to spend 21 days behind bars. 
• Leticia Vilhena Ferreria of Indian Head Park. Her sentencing is set for Oct. 6.
• Dawn Frankowski of Naperville and David Wiersma of Posen. Wiersma will be sentenced Nov. 29. Frankowski will be sentenced Nov. 30.
• Marcos Gleffe of Elk Grove Village. His sentencing is Dec. 9.
• Bruce Harrison and Douglas Wangler of Danville. Both were sentenced to two years of probation.
• Christian Kulas of Kenilworth and Mark Kulas Jr. of Lake Forest. Both were sentenced to six months of probation, including two months of home detention.
• Christopher Logsdon of Sesser and Tina Logsdon of Sesser. Their sentencing is set for Oct. 28.
• Bradley Rukstales of Inverness. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
• Amy Schubert of Crest Hill and John Schubert of Crest Hill. Both were sentenced to 18 months of probation.
• Athanasios Zoyganeles of Chicago. His sentence or sentencing date was not listed.