The suspect who was arrested after bringing a handgun into the Wisconsin Capitol Wednesday afternoon and demanding to see Governor Evers, then returning that night with a rifle after posting bail, is a well-known chef at a Madison distillery and an apparent liberal who made multiple donations to Bernie Sanders.
According to a visitor alert circulated to Capitol staff, Joshua J. Pleasnick, 43, who goes by the nickname "Taco," was shirtless and brandishing a holstered handgun when he approached a security guard stationed outside Evers' office and demanded to see the Governor just before 2:00 pm Wednesday.
"Pleasnick was told he could not open carry in the Capitol," the alert states. "Pleasnick stated he would not comply with that order. Pleasnick was arrested for openly carrying a firearm in a public building. While being interviewed Pleasnick said he would continue coming to the Capitol until he spoke to the Governor about domestic abuse towards men."
Online court records indicate Pleasnick has been involved in at least one divorce and several child support actions over the past decade.
Pleasnick was booked into the Dane County Jail but immediately posted bail and returned to the Capitol at about 8:50 pm armed with "an AK-style rifle."
"Pleasnick stated he was not going to leave until the Governor spoke with him," the alert explains. "Pleasnick was taken into protective custody."
Pleasnick is a well-known chef who has been profiled by The Wisconsin State Journal and twice by Madison Magazine, most recently in 2019. According to Federal Election Commission records, he donated small amounts of money to Democratic Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns in both 2016 and 2020.