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Michael John Lopatic, 58, of Manheim Township, was accused of ripping off one of the officer's helmet and gas mask, stealing his cellphone— breaking his body camera, an essential piece of evidence— and hitting him with an uppercut during the riot, according to prosecutors statements.
But this former Marine was not deemed a flight risk and was released from custody over a year prior to his passing by U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan.
Lopatic's conditional release included that he must surrender his guns, take medication— he was known to have a benign brain tumor among other undisclosed maladies, and stay away from other defendants.
If he was convicted he would have faced a maximum penalty of 21 years and 6 months in prison and more than $1 million in fines, according to court records, but— for an unknown reason— Lopatic was hospitalized at Lancaster General, where he died on Sunday, July 3, according to his obituary.
He had "enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman," as stated in his obituary. He also, "loved restoring antiques and instruments."
He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Millersville VFW Post 7294, as noted in his obituary.
He is survived by his parents, Raymond and Francis Lopatic; wife, Chinh T. Lopatic; five children: Amber, Michael, Ramsey, Mayciann, and Coleby; two granddaughters: Samantha and Zayah; and one brother Raymond E. Lopatic, Jr.
His family received friends from 9-10 a.m. Friday, July 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 South Prince Street, Lancaster, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. He will be interred at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. on Monday July 11, according to his obituary.
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