Capitol police have identified the man accused of demanding to see Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, while armed, as Joshua Pleasnick, a Madison, Wisconsin, chef and Bernie Sanders donor.
According to an alert sent out by police to warn legislators and their staffs, obtained by Wisconsin Right Now, Pleasnick showed up twice at the Wisconsin State Capitol, the second time after bailing out from a charge relating to the first incident.
This is video from @WKOW Wed night of Joshua Pleasnick outside the Wisconsin State Capitol
Officials say earlier in the day he demanded to see Gov. Tony Evers while carrying a handgun, was arrested, bailed out and returned hours later outside the Capitol with an assault rifle pic.twitter.com/KSiRDGDEC9
— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) October 5, 2023
News articles and his social media pages indicate that Pleasnick is a chef in the Madison area.
Joshua Pleasnick Campaign Donations to Bernie Sanders
Federal Election Commission campaign finance records show that Pleasnick made four small donations to ActBlue in 2019 and 2020 that were earmarked Bernie Sanders. There are no state donations under his name.
Joshua Pleasnick, 43, of Madison, goes by the nickname “Taco,” according to the alert, although his Facebook page uses the name “Talko.”
On Oct. 4, 2023, at around 1:54 p.m., Pleasnick approached “the security desk outside the Governor’s office at the capitol open carrying a handgun. He made contact with the officer at the desk and stated he would not leave until he saw Governor Evers,” the alert says.
Joshua Pleasnick was told he “could not open carry in the Capitol. Pleasnick stated he would not comply with that order. Pleasnick was arrested for openly carrying a firearm in a public building. While being interviewed, Pleasnick said he would continue coming to the Capitol until he spoke to the governor about domestic abuse towards men. Pleasenick stated he did not own a vehicle and it is likely he has access to a large amount of weapons and is comfortable using them,” the Capitol police alert says.
He bailed out of jail.
But then, the police alert says, “Pleasnick returned to the E. Main Street and MLK BLD. side of the Capitol grounds at approximately 8:50 p.m. armed with an AK style rifle. Pleasnick stated he was not going to leave until the Governor spoke with him. Pleasnick was taken into protective custody,” the alert said.
The alert warned legislators and their staffs to “use extreme caution when in contact with Pleasnick. He should be considered armed.”
Dan O’Donnell first reported Pleasnick’s name.
Pleasnick’s Facebook page does contain a riot photo with a person holding a sign that says, “shoot the f*** back.” His TikTok page shows him with birds.
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