Chicago police officer charged in Jan. 6 attack to be offered plea deal by federal prosecutors

Federal brokers say Karol Chwiesiuk went to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, vowing to “save the nation.”

Now, almost 16 months later, his attorneys are working to avoid wasting him from a felony conviction. Whereas Chwiesiuk is anticipating a suggestion from the federal government to plead responsible, his legal professional stated he maintains his innocence and appears ahead to trial.

SEE ALSO | Rising variety of responsible pleas for Illinoisans charged in Jan. 6 assault

Photos in federal court docket information spotlight a Chicago police sweatshirt that prosecutors say then 29-year-old Chwiesiuk wore to the revolt in Washington.

The Harrison District officer was arrested final summer time and charged with a number of misdemeanors, prompting his boss, Supt. David Brown, to say it makes his “blood boil” and sick to his abdomen.

Chwiesiuk has been stripped of his police powers and is at present on a depart of absence, in line with a division spokesperson.

Federal officers in Washington Thursday stated “a plea provide will probably be forthcoming” to Chwiesiuk.

“A Chicago police officer goes to wish to keep away from any conviction, whether or not it is a felony or a misdemeanor, but it surely nonetheless would not have quite a lot of room to function right here until the federal government is keen to cross on the costs fully,” ABC7 authorized analyst Gil Soffer stated. “He has all the motivation on the planet to strike a plea for a misdemeanor and never take a danger on one thing extra critical.”

Soffer, a former federal prosecutor, instructed the I-Group that the federal government and Chwiesiuk have incentives to keep away from an precise trial.

“Going to trial and being convicted is worse than taking a plea for a police officer,” Soffer instructed the I-Group. “He’ll have the publicity that comes with a trial nevertheless lengthy it takes, he is going to have a look at a extra critical penalty in all probability from a choose who will not be happy that he pressured a case the place the federal government’s proof is robust to trial. So there’s quite a lot of the reason why he must be taking a plea as an alternative of taking it to trial.”