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A Pennsylvania man facing up to six months in prison for illegally entering the U.S. on January 6, just committed suicide.
Mark Aungst, 47, of South Williamsport, was going to be sentenced on September 27 by federal judge Reggie Walton. He pleaded guilty last month to a single charge of demonstrating or parading in a restricted building.
He was reported dead last Wednesday.
Part of his obituary read:
A loyal and dedicated man, Mark showed tremendous pride for God and his country.
Above all else, Mark loved his daughter and any time they spent together, as she was truly his world.
His death was ruled a suicide by Lycoming County Coroner Charles E. Kiessling Jr.
Truth Tent reported:
Aungst and co-defendant Tammy Bronsburg took a bus to Washington on January 6, 2021, for President Donald Trump’s “stop the steal” rally. After Trump’s speech, they marched to the Capitol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst said video evidence showed the pair entering the Capitol through the Senate fire door at approximately 2:45 p.m. and leaving 30 seconds later. They re-entered the building through another door and took photos and videos inside on their cellphones.
Bronsburg, who pleaded guilty to the same charge, later posted a video from inside the Capitol on Facebook and Aungst showed witnesses his pictures, according to Furst.
Neither Aungst nor Bronsburg was accused of assaulting a police officer or stealing government property, the prosecutor previously stated.
Aungst is survived by his mother, daughter, and three siblings. His daughter is currently expecting a child, according to the obituary.
Earlier this year, another January 6 defendant committed suicide, as well.
Matthew Perna pleaded guilty in December of 2021 to enter the building and faced years in prison. He was found dead, dead by hanging in his garage.
His obituary read:
He attended the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, to peacefully stand up for his beliefs. After learning that the FBI was looking for him, he immediately turned himself in.
He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported). He didn’t break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures.
For this act, he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives, and people who had never met him. Many people were quietly supportive, and Matt was truly grateful for them
More than 840 people have been arrested for the events on January 6 at the Capitol. 17 months after the events, many are still waiting on their sentencing.
Only about 185 individuals have received criminal sentences, while all the others are waiting for their trials and plea agreements.
