Staff Report

GOSHEN — Jeffrey Munger, 55, Goshen, was recently arrested for his connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. He is the fifth Indiana resident to be charged this month in connection with the Capitol riot, out of 10 other people with Indiana ties.

He was arrested March 23 on charges of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a capital building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capital building.

According to information from the U.S. Department of Justice, a device associated with a Google Gmail account registered to Munger was used to track his locations during the riot. Records obtained through a search warrant served on Google, a device associated to Munger’s Gmail account was present at or near the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6 between 2:28 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. The warrant also allowed officials to obtain photographs and videos that appear to have been taken at the Capitol building that day.

Additionally footage from the U.S. Capitol building’s closed circuit video system shows a person, believed to be Munger, climbing into the building through a broken window next to the Senate Wing Door around 2:50 p.m. Additional footage allegedly shows that same person existing the building through the Senate Wing Door at 3:04 p.m. indicating he was in the building for 14 minutes.

Munger voluntarily spoke with investigators at his home Dec. 15, and admitted he had gone to Washington D.C. Jan. 4, which matches information obtained from his Gmail account. That information shows the device traveling east, arriving in Washington, D.C., Jan. 4 and returning to Munger’s home, Jan. 8.

He allegedly also admitted to authorities of entering the Capitol building through a broken window. He circled the area on a map the investigator provided, showing where he entered the building through the broken window. Additionally he allegedly told investigators he saw people trying to force open doors and heard glass breaking and he went inside the building because the crowd was pushing him into a corner and the only way to leave was through the window.

Documents indicate he admitted to taking photographs while inside and stated he never heard any commands from law enforcement to leave the building. He also stated he walked down the hall and saw people smoking pot and decided to leave. Munger also reportedly identified himself in several images of the Capitol building footage from the time of the riot, as well as photographs he had taken while at the building. He allowed investigators to photograph the coat and hat he wore that day, which he still had in his possession.