Former political protester ‘Segway Jeremy’ rejects plea deal in federal court

Jessica Arp by Jessica Arp

Sketch artist: Jim McKiernan

Dane County Sheriff's Office Jeremy Ryan



A former frequent protester at the Wisconsin State Capitol rejected a plea deal in federal court Friday that may have allowed him to be released with time served.

Jeremy Ryan, who is not related to Paul Ryan but ran against the then-House Speaker for his congressional seat, was expected to plead guilty to seeking radioactive material in federal court.

Ryan was arrested in 2018 by the FBI after they said they caught him trying to buy radioactive material online. Ryan’s attorney had said he intended to use the material to kill himself .

Ryan was expected to plead guilty to attempting to receive and possess nuclear material or byproduct.

Instead, according to federal court records, Ryan rejected the plea deal. He now has a week to respond as to how he’d like to move ahead with the case.

Under the deal, he would have received a “time served” sentence, meaning he would not serve any time in prison, The Wisconsin State Journal reported Wednesday.

Jeremy Ryan was known for riding a Segway while protesting in the state Capitol in 2011. He used his notoriety to mount an unsuccessful underdog race against Paul Ryan in 2014.

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