HELENA — Henry Muntzer, a business owner in Dillon, was charged in connection with the January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol. Joshua Calvin Hughes and his brother Jerod Wade Hughes were also charged in connection with the riot.
On Friday, Muntzer entered a plea of not guilty to D.C. District Judge Amit Mehta. A grand jury brought five charges against Muntzer for his alleged actions at the U.S. Capitol: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.
“There were 5,000 people in the building, so are they going to arrest all 5,000 people and bring charges against them, or are these the people that were outspoken the most? “ Muntzer told MTN News. “I was just supporting my president, I had no idea we were even going to the Capitol that day ... we didn’t know that until he announced it at his speech.”
Muntzer wants it to be clear he doesn’t support violence against anyone, and that he was only there to support former President Trump. “I love my country and I care about where our vote counts,” said Muntzer. “I do not care if it’s Republican or Democrat, but if we’re not free, then we’re all slaves. That’s the question we all need to ask. I believe the truth has no friends and no enemies and that’s what we should all be seeking.”
New information has come out regarding Joshua and Jerod Hughes, who are also facing charges for their alleged actions at the Capitol.
On February 10 a grand jury returned nine charges, including felony charges, against the East Helena brothers: Civil Disorder; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding; Destruction of Government Property; Disorderly Conduct in the Capitol Building, and Entering; Entering and Remaining in Certain Rooms in a Capitol Building; Remaining on the Floor of Congress; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.
Prosecutors say that the men were among the first 10 rioters to enter the Capitol at a certain part of the building. Investigators also accused Jerod of working with another man to kick open a door to allow more people to enter the building.
On February 1, Federal Magistrate Judge John Johnston approved a motion to transfer the brothers back to Washington, D.C. The two men have yet to be arraigned on the charges they’re accused of.
- Montana brothers charged in connection with US Capitol riot
- Montana man charged in connection with U.S. Capitol riot
