Acting United States Attorney Richard G. Frohling of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on Aug. 18, 2021, Ian Alan Olson of Nashotah, Wisconsin, appeared in federal court in Milwaukee and pleaded guilty to attacking United States Servicemen on account of their status as servicemen, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1389(a).
As detailed in a plea agreement filed in the case, on March 15, 2021, Olson drove his vehicle to the U.S. Army Reserve station in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Olson then got out of his vehicle, produced what appeared to be a rifle, pointed it at two uniformed U.S. Army servicemen who were the station’s parking lot, and exclaimed “This is for America." Olson then fired the weapon, which turned out to be a paintball gun, directly at the two servicemen. After Olson’s paintball gun jammed, the servicemen tackled him to the ground. Both servicemen initially believed Olson was holding a real firearm and they feared that Olson intended to shoot and kill them.
Olson will be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. before United States District Judge Brett H. Ludwig. Olson faces up to two years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Village of Pewaukee Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Proctor of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
