Suspected Rep. Zeldin Attacker Arrested on Federal Assault Charge

The suspected attacker of Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) has been charged with federal assault and was arrested on July 23, announced the Justice Department.

His detention came following an investigation by federal authorities, the U.S. Capitol police, and state and local police.

David Jakubonis, 43 was first taken into custody on July 21 in the wake of his bid to stab the lawmaker during a campaign stop at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Fairport near Rochester, New York.

Jakubonis was arraigned on the same night in Perinton Town Court on second-degree attempted assault but was released on his own recognizance immediately after.

The assailant reportedly appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Marian Payson on Saturday, according to a complaint filed in the United States District Court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Harvey, who is handling the case, described the object that Jakubonis used to assault Zeldin, as “a keychain with two sharp points.”

The attacker allegedly pointed the object toward Zeldin while saying “You are done” several times.

Finally, the lawmaker was able to escape injury and stop the man by grabbing his wrist until others assisted in taking the attacker to the ground, Zeldin’s campaign said.

According to his former neighbor, Jakubonis experienced a “rapid decline” in his mental health following the death of his wife and medical discharge from the Army in 2012.

With the new federal charge, the Fairport Army veteran can face up to 10 years in prison. His next hearing is due on Wednesday.

Call for Repeal of Cashless Bail

Zeldin, the Republican nominee for New York governor extended his gratitude to the federal agencies over the new charge.

“I’m thankful that federal authorities came in to do what New York State’s broken pro-criminal justice system could not—uphold the rule of law,” he said in a prepared

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