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Press Release

Fairport man sentenced for attacking a federal officer during a campaign event

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that David G. Jakubonis, 44, of Fairport, NY, who was convicted of assaulting a federal officer, was sentenced to serve three years probation by U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who handled the case, stated that on July 21, 2022, during a campaign event in Perinton, NY, Congressman Lee Zeldin gave a speech from the bed of a flatbed trailer. During the speech, Jakubonis walked onto the trailer, approached the Congressman, extended a keychain with two sharp points toward him and grabbed his arm. A struggle then ensued between Congressman Zeldin and Jakubonis and, as bystanders intervened, Jakubonis pulled Congressman Zeldin down onto the bed of the trailer, stating several times during the assault, “you're done.” Jakubonis was subdued and arrested.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the U.S. Capitol Police, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Chad Beckett, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Miklos Szoczei II, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and the Brighton Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Catholdi. 

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Contact

Barbara Burns

716-843-5817

Updated December 15, 2023

Topic
Violent Crime