Man Who Brought Guns to Capitol Pleads Not Guilty at Initial Court Appearance

Friday, October 20th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) The man who brought guns to the Wisconsin State Capitol demanding to see Governor Evers pleaded not guilty in court Thursday.

43-year-old Joshua Pleasnick made his initial appearance in Dane County Court and was granted a signature bond. The judge also barred him from the Capitol Square and anywhere near the governor's residence.

Pleasnick is also prohibited from having any dangerous weapons, including guns. He's charged with a misdemeanor of carrying a firearm in a public building for the October 4th incident.

Attorney Michael Covey represented 43-year-old Joshua Pleasnick. “There wasn't any kind of intent to cause harm . . I noticed with the criminal complaint, the sentence that jumped out at me was that at no point, did he even brandish the gun that he had on him.”

“To the best of my knowledge, he has no prior convictions. He has never been to court in the past. He showed up here voluntarily. And in the 15-20 minutes that I have spoken with him and known him, one of the most pleasant clients I've actually ever had.”

He is banned from possessing dangerous weapons and being within 1,000 feet of the governor or his family.

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