Lake Forest man to plead guilty to charges in Jan. 6 Capitol riot: Feds

Mark Kulas Jr.’s plea hearing set for same date as his brother, Christian Kulas, who was charged six months ago.

Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump stand outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump stand outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

AP

A 27-year-old Lake Forest man is expected to plead guilty next month to entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection on the same day his brother is scheduled to plead to similar charges, federal court records show.

Mark Kulas Jr. was charged this week with a single count of violent and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, one of the same charges filed in June against his younger brother, Christian Kulas, in connection with the breach of the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of six months.

Kulas Jr.’s lawyer declined comment Tuesday.

Court records show both brothers are due for a plea hearing via Zoom on Dec. 6 before Senior Judge Thomas F. Hogan in federal court in Washington D.C.

The home where Christian Kulas, 24, will be under the supervision of his mother in the 200 block of Sheridan Road in Kenilworth, Illinois, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Christian Kulas was arrested at 6:12 a.m. Tuesday and was charged with unlawful entry of a restricted building and disorderly conduct on U.S. Capitol grounds.

The home where Christian Kulas, 24, will be under the supervision of his mother in the 200 block of Sheridan Road in Kenilworth, Illinois, Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A one-page charging document spelled out little more than the formal charge against Mark Kulas Jr., though federal prosecutors in June had filed a nine-page affidavit detailing Christian Kulas’ alleged activities on the day of the Capitol riot.

Chrisitian Kulas, of Kenilworth was identified by a former classmate, who saw video posted on social media showing the younger Kulas — in his designer coat and “KEEP AMERICA GREAT” cap over his long hair— among the throng that stormed the Capitol.

In one video, apparently filmed by Christian Kulas and posted to his Instagram account, he turns the camera to show his own face as he walks with a crowd up the Capitol steps. Security video and video filmed by others inside the Capitol show Christian Kulas and his distinctive hat and Burberry coat.

Christian Kulas has been free on bond since his arrest in June.

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