UPDATE: Jan. 22, 2021 - 9:00 a.m.
DILLON - A business owner in Dillon has become the first person in Montana to be charged in connection with the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol.
According to federal charging documents 52-year-old Henry (Hank) Muntzer of Dillon faces charges of unlawful entry to restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct.
The affidavit alleges Muntzer was among the protesters who forced their way into the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress was verifying the electoral college vote.
The FBI alleges Muntzer was seen on television news video inside the Capitol and also appeared in a Youtube video where he allegedly admitted to being inside the Capitol.
Muntzer was arrested on Jan. 18 in Dillon and detained in Missoula where he appeared in Federal District Court.
Muntzer, who is the owner of Dillon Appliance repair shop, painted a mural on his building last year, which espouses some strong political feelings and some conspiracy theories.
The murals on his building certainly created a lot of conversation and controversy among the citizens in Dillon.
“I appreciate the fact that in the United States we have First Amendment rights and people can put whatever they want on their own building, but it’s a bad example for Dillon, I don’t agree with it (the mural) at all and I’d like to see it gone,” said Dillon resident George Johnston.
Muntzer was expected to be released from custody after his hearing Thursday.
(first report: 12:19 p.m. - Jan. 21, 2021)
According to court documents, a Dillon business owner faces felony charges in connection with allegedly entering the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. during the protest on Jan. 6.
Henry Phillip Muntzer, 52, was charged with unlawful entry of restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in federal court in Missoula.
Charging documents released today allege Muntzer was with the mob that forced its way into the U.S. Capitol between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on the afternoon the day Congress was meeting to certify the vote count of the Electoral College of the 2020 presidential election.
Muntzer was arrested on an FBI warrant Monday and detained in Missoula County. He is expected to be released today.
