Two South Jersey men admit roles in Capitol riot

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two South Jersey men have pleaded guilty in connection to their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Robert Lee Petrosh of Mays Landing and Lawrence Stackhouse of Gloucester Township are the first of at least 11 suspects from South Jersey to admit guilt to charges arising from the insurrection.

Petrosh acknowledged he entered the Capitol and stole two microphones during the uprising by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, a court record says.

The theft occurred after Petrosh had told U.S. Capitol Police officers engaged in a stand-off with rioters, “Give us Nancy (Pelosi), and we will leave,” the record adds.

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Stackhouse admitted he entered the Capitol without authorization, according to a court record.

He also said two other suspects — Michael Gianos of Marlton and Rachel Myers of Philadelphia — joined him inside the Capitol.

Gianos and Myers were charged on Dec. 1 with entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Under separate plea deals, Petrosh and Stackhouse agreed authorities could prove, beyond a reasonable doubt the allegations in a court record called a Statement of Offense.

According to the statement for Petrosh, the Atlantic County man entered the Capitol’s Rotunda, “smoked a cigarette and knowingly stole both microphones from a lectern that were property of the United States belonging to the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi."

It says Petrosh texted a friend three days later, saying, “Got your souvenir … Microphone from congress hall.”

A statement for Stackhouse says he acknowledged entering the Capitol during the riot “with Myers and Gianos close behind.”

They also entered the Rotunda, then made their way down a hallway in the area of Pelosi’s office, the statement says.

Stackhouse acknowledged texting Gianos on Jan. 7, saying “don’t regret one thing” and “f--- the government,” according to his Statement of Offense.

Stackhouse also told investigators he wore a Proud Boy hoodies at the riot, but said he was not a member of the white nationalist group.

Each man has agreed to pay restitution of $500 toward an estimated $1.5 million in riot damage. Petrosh also is to pay $438 for the cost of the microphones.

The men also agreed to cooperate with the investigation into the Jan. 6 uprising.

Stackhouse and Petrosh entered the Capitol separately around 2:20 p.m., after traveling from South Jersey for a rally in support of Trump, the statements say.

Stackhouse, then 33, was charged on March 4, 2021.

Petrosh, who was 51 at the time, was arrested on May 4. Authorities at that time said Petrosh, who was photographed inside the Capitol, had been identified by an FBI task force member who has known him for about 15 years.

Under the plea agreements, prosecutors will ask a judge to dismiss additional charges against each man.

The charges, which include allegations against each man of violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, are “based on fact,” according to the plea agreements.

Stackhouse admitted guilt on Feb. 4 to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He is to be sentenced May 6 in federal court in the District of Columbia.

Stackhouse faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Petrosh pleaded guilty on Jan. 7 to theft of government property. He is to be sentenced March 25.

He faces a potential maximum sentence of one year in prison and an “estimated applicable fine range” of $500 to $9,500, the agreement says.

Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Lawrence Stackhouse, Robert Lee Petrosh plead guilty to 1/6 charges