After deliberating less than two hours, a federal court jury in Madison, Wis., found Joseph Jakubowski guilty of stealing guns from a Janesville gun shop and transporting them illegally.
The Janesville resident faced two federal charges as the result of a burglary to Armageddon Supplies, where 18 firearms and two suppressors were stolen. Jakubowski also sent a threatening manifesto to President Donald Trump.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Jakubowski did not show any emotion when the verdicts were announced. He had admitted to stealing the guns on the witness stand Monday afternoon.
Police say he stole the guns, burned his vehicle, and disappeared on April 4 after sending a 161-page anti-government manifesto to President Donald Trump. The incident caused several Janesville schools to close for a few days over safety concerns.
A massive manhunt involving several law-enforcement agencies was launched. Jakubowski was captured without incident 10 days later on private land in Vernon County.
NBC-affiliate WEAU reports that jurors were selected to hear the case Monday, and Jakubowski was the only witness who testified in his defense.
Eleven witnesses testified for the prosecution, including Rock County Sheriff's Deputies, the owner of the burgled Armageddon Supplies, the man who installed security cameras in the facility, a Wisconsin State Crime Lab DNA analyst, and agents from the FBI and ATF. They discussed video and photo evidence of the crime scene and the camp to which Jakubowski fled, as well as footage of Jakubowski's arrest.
Jakubowski could face up to 20 years in prison. He will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William Conley in Madison on Dec. 20.
Jacubowski also faces state charges, including burglary and theft, in Rock County Court. That trial date is October 23. If found guilty, he could face an extra 24½ years behind bars.
