Top Proud Boys member pleads guilty to rioting in the Capitol

WASHINGTON – A leader of Proud boys of the far right pleaded guilty on Friday to charges related to the attack on the US Capitol, according to court records, a win for prosecutors who could assist them. cases against members of the group.

Charles Donohoeleader of the group’s North Carolina division at the time of the Capitol attack, pleaded guilty in a court hearing Friday in the District of Columbia.

Donohoe admitted conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding – a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He also admitted to assaulting and obstructing police officers.

According to sentencing guidelines, Donohoe is likely to face a sentence of about six years in prison, with time already being served. He will be sentenced at a later trial.

Donohoe has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as they prepare to try other Proud Boys defendants.

Donohoe, 34, was arrested in March 2021 and charged with conspiring to obstruct federal officers from securing the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and obstructing an official proceeding, among other counts. other. He has been in custody since last year.

Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the congressional seat that day to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

Donohoe and other Proud Boys were videotaped leading a crowd toward the Capitol during the riot. In court filings, the Justice Department said it helped lead the break into the Capitol. The men dispute the charges.

“Mr. Donohoe is charged with interfering with the peaceful transition of power to the nation,” Kelly said in a June court hearing, adding that the charges were “serious matters that have in favor of incarceration”.

An indictment that was unsealed last month alleges that Proud Boys president Enrique Tarrio was deeply involved in recruiting group members and directing their actions in the days leading up to the attacks. January 6.

Tarrio’s attorney pleaded not guilty on his behalf during a virtual hearing in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here