Suspect in attack on U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to remain in custody as judge weighs release plea
A man who accosted U.S. Rep.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A man who accosted U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin on stage as the Republican campaigned for governor will remain in custody while a federal judge considers his lawyer’s plea to release the Army veteran, who he said was in an alcoholic relapse.
David Jakubonis, 43, faces a federal count of assaulting a member of Congress with a dangerous weapon for the attack July 21 in the Rochester area. The charge carries a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Man arrested on federal charge for assaulting Rep. Lee ZeldinJuly 23, 202200:37At a detention hearing Thursday, assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Eldridge argued Jakubonis should be held as a danger to the community who lunged at a congressman with a dangerous weapon.
“To characterize what happened to Congressman Zeldin that day as a close call is an understatement,” Eldridge said.
A video of the attack shows Jakubonis raised his arm toward the congressman from Long Island as he held a keychain with two sharp points.
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