- Joseph Jakubowski, 33, was convicted of two federal weapons charges
- In April he stole numerous firearms and sent an anti-government manifesto to President Trump
- The manifesto included a ‘laundry list’ of injustices waged by the upper class and the United States government
- He then went on the run prompting a 10-day manhunt by Wisconsin police
- Jakubowski will be sentenced December 20 and faces up to 20 years in prison
A Wisconsin man accused of stealing numerous firearms and sending an anti-government manifesto to the White House has been convicted of two federal weapons charges.
The jury in Madison deliberated for about two hours Tuesday before finding 33-year-old Joseph Jakubowski guilty. He will be sentenced December 20 and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The self-proclaimed anarchist told jurors Monday that he stole the guns and ammunition from Armageddon Supplies near Janesville last April before going on the run.
Joseph Jakubowski, 33, (pictured in April) told jurors he stole the guns and ammunition from a gunshop near Janesville
After a 10-day manhunt he was found about 130 miles away, camping in a remote area of Vernon County.
Defense attorney Joseph Bugni tried to convince jurors that although Jakubowski admitted he stole the guns, technically the charge against him was flawed.
The charges stated firearms had been stolen from a licensed dealer on April 4. However, the store owner just had a manufacturer’s license.
A force of some 150 local, state and federal police had been searching for the suspect.
Joseph Jakubowski mailed a 161-page long manifesto (left) to the White House before he stole the guns and ammunition from Armageddon Supplies (right)
Authorities said Jakubowski had spoken of plans to carry out unspecified attacks, in addition to sending his 161-page long screed to the White House.
Sheriff Robert Spoden described the manifesto as, ‘a long laundry list of injustices that he believes the government and society and the upper class have put forth onto the rest of the citizens.’
The threat prompted area schools to close the day prior to a scheduled spring break, and patrols were increased at local churches because Jakubowski’s manifesto had included ‘anti-religion sentiment’.
State governor Scott Walker also scrapped an annual Easter egg hunt scheduled amid the manhunt.