In a recent development, a Florida resident was handed a 10-year prison sentence by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol.
Christopher Worrell, a 52-year-old man from Naples, Florida, was convicted on multiple felony counts, including the assault of a group of police officers using a deadly weapon. According to the DOJ, Worrell used pepper spray against a line of officers stationed at the west plaza of the Capitol.
U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, in addition to the prison term, ordered Worrell to serve 36 months of supervised release, pay restitution of $2,000, and a special assessment of $610.
Prosecutors revealed that Worrell, who is associated with the Proud Boys, became a fugitive after his conviction on May 12, 2023. He removed his ankle monitor in a Walmart parking lot on August 14, 2023, just four days before his scheduled sentencing.
Following a six-week FBI manhunt triggered by his disappearance, Worrell was apprehended at his residence in Naples, Florida. The FBI found night-vision goggles, a wallet with approximately $4,000 in cash, and a bag of new camping equipment at his home. Authorities reported that Worrell was found unresponsive and later admitted to faking an opioid overdose as a "delay tactic."
Court documents indicate that Worrell, along with a group of Proud Boys, marched to the US Capitol before the conclusion of former President Donald Trump's speech. When a line of police officers tried to protect the Capitol from the group on the West Plaza, Worrell stepped forward and sprayed pepper gel at them. Documents reveal that Worrell later bragged about having "completely deployed a can" and was "absolutely handing it over to them."
After breaching the police line, Worrell reportedly filmed himself and exclaimed, "Yeah! Taking the Capitol!"
The DOJ stated that on May 12, 2023, Worrell was found guilty on six felony counts and a misdemeanor. These included assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, and obstructing, impeding, or interfering with officers during the commission of a civil disorder, among others.
The FBI's investigation into the Proud Boys has led to several members being charged or put on trial in Washington. Four members, including Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, faced trial this spring on charges of seditious conspiracy.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for the severe sentences handed down to Jan. 6 defendants, with many accusing it of political persecution through a weaponized Justice Department.
In September 2023, Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy related to the Capitol riot, despite not being in DC on Jan. 6. Tarrio's co-defendants, Zachary Rehl, Joe Biggs, and Ethan Nordean, all Proud Boys affiliates, received prison sentences ranging from 15 to 18 years.
Over 1,200 people from almost all 50 states have been charged in connection with the breach of the US Capitol in the 35 months since January 6, 2021. This includes journalists and individuals who were not in DC during the protest.
In November, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) released sought-after footage from surveillance tapes on Jan. 6. Following the release, many claimed that the extreme targeting of Americans who participated in the Jan 6. protest was clear political persecution by the Biden administration aimed at conservative voters.
Former President Donald Trump, who is currently facing criminal charges by the Biden DOJ in relation to the events at the Capitol, praised House Speaker Johnson for having the "courage" to release the tapes to the American people.
"Congratulations to Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson for having the Courage and Fortitude to release all of the J6 Tapes, which will explicitly reveal what really happened on January 6th!" Donald Trump said on Truth Social.
To date, the Biden administration's DOJ has sentenced January 6 defendants to a combined 847 years in prison.
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