A Kaysville woman is the third Utah resident to plead guilty to charges connected to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. (Shannon Stapleton, Reuters)
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SALT LAKE CITY — A third Utahn has pleaded guilty to charges connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Janet Buhler, of Kaysville, pleaded guilty Thursday to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing inside a capitol building. She was originally facing five misdemeanors. She’s one of eight Utah residents to be charged in connection with the attack.
Buhler was arrested on July 30 after FBI investigators noticed a woman in photos alongside a man they believe to be Michael Hardin, a former Salt Lake police officer. Investigators later identified the woman in the photos as Buhler. Buhler is Hardin’s stepmother-in-law, according to charging documents.
The two were allegedly seen on security cameras in different areas of the Capitol. Charging documents say FBI agents received a tip that alleged Buhler traveled along with Hardin to Washington, D.C.
Investigators also used GPS data to discover that a phone linked to Buhler’s Facebook account was inside the Capitol that day, charging documents say.
All three of the Utah residents to plead guilty have admitted to the same misdemeanor charge: parading, demonstrating or picketing inside a capitol building.
On the day prior to Buhler’s guilty plea, Willard Peart, who lives in Washington County, entered a guilty plea in his case. Jacob Wiedrich pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor on Oct. 14. Both Peart and Wiedrich have yet to be sentenced.
Buhler will be sentenced June 1. A plea agreement hearing for Hardin is scheduled for Jan. 21.
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