Christopher Worrell found unconscious, in custody at hospital on Jan. 6 related charges

Tomas Rodriguez, Naples Daily News
Updated ·3 min read
10

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct where Worrell is in custody. An earlier version reported the wrong location.

An East Naples man arrested on a bench warrant, convicted for his part in the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, remained in Collier County's custody at a hospital on Friday morning after he was found unconscious his home Thursday.

Jail records indicate Christopher Worrell, 52, remains in custody on a hold for Hillsborough County. The local FBI office is in Tampa. Michelle Batten, spokesperson for the Collier County Sheriff's Office, said Worrell was in custody at an undisclosed hospital.

Worrell was arrested at his home Thursday afternoon. The sheriff's office assisted the FBI with the warrant. When it was served, Worrell was found unconscious. Worrell had been missing since mid-August. The FBI said in a news release Friday that he had tried to "covertly" return to his home.

Quiet day after capture at home: A look at Christopher Worrell's Naples, Florida home, where he was caught, arrested

An arrest affidavit from the sheriff's office said deputies with the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit responded around 2:30 p.m. Thursday to the 200 block of Stanhope Circle and assisted the FBI in Worrell's apprehension.

The report says federal agents "gained consent entry" to the home and found Worrell unconscious on the kitchen floor.

First responders rendered aid and took Worrell to the undisclosed hospital. Authorities didn't immediately provide an update on his condition or what caused him to be unconscious.

Worrell has previously argued the U.S. Government and D.C. Jail systems denied access to his life-saving non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer treatment, or any medications since his detention on March 12, 2021.

In its news release, the FBI said they found night-vision goggles, $4,000 in cash and "survivalist gear" at his home.

He's charged as being a fugitive from justice with the FBI, obstructing justice and violating the conditions of his release.

Christopher Worrell's booking mug on Sept. 28, 2023, for his arrest for charges of being a fugitive from justice with the FBI, obstructing justice and violating the conditions of his release.
Christopher Worrell's booking mug on Sept. 28, 2023, for his arrest for charges of being a fugitive from justice with the FBI, obstructing justice and violating the conditions of his release.

Worrell was convicted in May on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection with his sentencing scheduled for Aug. 18, which was canceled that week, days prior to his court appearance.

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia officials on Aug. 17 unsealed the bench warrant, which was issued Aug. 15. It did not include details related to his disappearance.

The FBI announced that Worrell was wanted for violating conditions of release pending sentencing.

On Jan. 6, 2021, after President Donald Trump's reelection loss, a riot of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building. The mob hoped to prevent Congress from counting electoral college votes and keep then-President-elect Joe Biden from power.

Worrell was accused of pepper spraying law enforcement officers, among other crimes. He was a member of the Proud Boys extremist group.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth found Worrell guilty of:

  • Obstruction of an official proceeding.

  • Entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

  • Disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

  • Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

  • Act of physical violence in the U.S. Capitol grounds or buildings.

  • Civil disorder.

  • Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon.

The Department of Justice had asked Lamberth to sentence Worrell to 14 years years in prison; three years of supervised release; $2,000 in restitution; a fine of up to $181,000, and $610 in mandatory special assessments, which are imposed on defendants convicted of federal crimes.

Trish Priller, his girlfriend and court-appointed guardian, didn't immediately return a request for comment.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Fugitive Christopher Worrell found unconscious in Naples, FL home