A Muskogee man accused of being part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol during the pro-Trump insurrection on Jan. 6 pleaded guilty Thursday as part of a deal with federal prosecutors.
Andrew Ericson, 24, pleaded guilty to one charge of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Ericson also agreed to pay $500 in restitution for damages to the Capitol. In exchange, further charges were dropped.
Ericson admitted in a statement submitted as part of the plea agreement that he knew he was not authorized to enter the Capitol, and that during his time inside the building he livestreamed his participation in the riot, took a beer from a refrigerator in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, and cheered.
Ericson is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10.
Ericson is one of hundreds of defendants charged by the federal government for alleged crimes during the attack, carried out by supporters of then-President Donald Trump who sought to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden's legitimate election victory.