The man accused of assaulting New York Rep. Lee Zeldin faces federal indictment #Man #accused #attacking #York #Rep #Lee #Zeldin #faces #federal #charge Welcome to OLASMEDIA TV NEWSThis is what we have for you today:
The man charged this week with attempting to stab US Representative Lee Zeldin at a New York campaign event is now facing federal charges.
David G. Jakubonis, 43, of Fairport, NY, was arrested Saturday and charged with assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon. The federal charge came just hours after he was released on his own behalf following his arraignment on a separate state charge of attempted assault in Perinton Town Court.
The new federal indictment includes a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if Jakubonis is convicted.
Jakubonis is accused of walking to a flatbed truck where Zeldin, a Republican running for governor of New York, was speaking Thursday night. Authorities said he jumped onto the trailer while holding a key ring with two sharp points, grabbing Zeldin and yelling, “You’re done!” as the two struggled.
According to the federal indictment, Jakubonis told police that he was drinking whiskey that day. He said “he did not know who the speaker was or if the speaker was a political person,” the indictment said.
He told authorities “he should have checked out,” the indictment said.
Earlier Saturday, law enforcement sources told CBS News that Jakubonis showed signs of intoxication the night of the attack when he was arrested by Monroe County Sheriff’s officers, telling authorities he had been drinking. The judge issued a protection order. A search warrant of Jakubonis’ house turned up no weapons or other weapons.
The state charge of attempted second-degree assault is a felony and ineligible for bail to be established under New York state reform laws, a law enforcement official said.
Jakubonis first appeared in federal court in Rochester, and he remains in custody until his next federal court hearing scheduled for July 27. He also has to return to state court for attempted sexual assault on August 30.
Pat Milton contributed to this report.