Christopher John Worrell (born June 26, 1971) is an American convicted felon and former fugitive who took part in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
Christopher John Worrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1971 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Participation in the January 6 United States Capitol attack |
| Criminal penalty | 10 years in prison |
Biography
editWorrell was born June 26, 1971[1][2] and lives in Naples, Florida.[3] He has a Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis.[2] He is a member of the Proud Boys[4] extremist group.[3]
Worrell was arrested in March 2021 and charged with "entering restricted property or grounds."[5] Worrell was found guilty of assaulting police officers with a weapon[2] at an October 2021 trial.[6] During the trial, Worrell denied using pepper spray on police officers.[6]
In jail he broke a finger and contracted COVID-19.[2] Worrell became the focus of attention at the 2021 Justice for J6 rally where right-wing activists complained that Worrell was slow to receive medical care in jail.[6] The District of Columbia Department of Corrections denied the claims.[6] In October 2021, judge Royce Lamberth upheld a civil rights complaint that the District of Columbia Department of Corrections were too slow to provide the court with Worell's medical records.[7]
In November 2021, Worrell was released from jail and was under house arrest.[3]
His failure to attend court delayed a planned sentencing hearing, scheduled for August 15, 2023. An arrest warrant for Worrell was issued the same day.[2] One week later, the FBI continued to seek public support in their search for Worrell.[8] Worrell was arrested six weeks later, on September 28, 2023. The Justice Department issued a statement saying "Worrell triggered a manhunt and enormous waste of government resources. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office spent six weeks tracking Worrell, obtaining multiple warrants, many subpoenas, and other legal processes, all while sending leads throughout the country — from New York to South Carolina to Texas to California to Oregon — to track down tips about his location".[9]
On January 4, 2024, federal judge Royce Lamberth sentenced Worrell to 10 years in prison.[9]
References
edit- ^ FBI poster
- ^ a b c d e Mallonee, Mary Kay (2023-08-19). "FBI searching for Proud Boy after he disappears days before January 6 sentencing | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ a b c "Proud Boy on house arrest in Jan. 6 case disappears ahead of sentencing". AP News. 2023-08-18. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ Cohen, Marshall (2021-03-13). "Charges filed against Proud Boys member who allegedly pepper-sprayed police during Capitol insurrection | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ "Florida men charged with being at US Capitol attack". AP News. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ a b c d Polantz, Hannah Rabinowitz,Katelyn (2021-10-28). "DOJ pushes back against claims of mistreatment at DC jail where dozens of Capitol rioters are being held | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Judge holds DC jail officials in contempt in 1/6 riot case". AP News. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ Barr, Like; Hensley, Sarah Bath (22 Aug 2023). "Authorities seek answers in case of missing Proud Boy awaiting Jan. 6 sentencing". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
- ^ a b Legare, Robert (January 4, 2024). "Jan. 6 Proud Boys defendant who led law enforcement on manhunt sentenced to 10 years in prison". CBS News. Retrieved January 4, 2024.