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Derek Jancart, 39, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, and fellow Ohioan
Erik Rau, 28, are at least the 20th and 21st persons to plead
guilty to criminal charges stemming from the Jan. 6 attack, when
thousands of supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed
the building in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying
Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.
More than 535 people have been charged with taking part in the
violence. Trump claims he lost the election because of
widespread electoral fraud.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jancart posted
pictures on Facebook from the riot, including a photograph taken
from outside Pelosi's conference room showing Rau inside the
room which carried the caption "We're in."
During hearings before U.S. District Judge James Boasberg,
Jancart and Rau, appearing via video link, both acknowledged
that they entered the Capitol during the riot and went to
Pelosi's office. Jancart acknowledged he photographed Rau inside
the room.
Jancart and Rau both were initially charged with four
riot-related misdemeanors after their arrests. Jancart was
arrested in February while Rau was not arrested until earlier
this month.
Both men pleaded guilty to single counts of disorderly conduct
in the U.S. Capitol building. They face a maximum sentence of
six months and a $5,000 fine, though Boasberg could sentence
them to probation. Sentencing for both men was set for Sept. 29.
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