East Naples 'Proud Boy' guilty in attack on Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol.

Tomas Rodriguez and Stacey Henson, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
273

A Washington, D.C., judge has found an East Naples man guilty for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capital insurrection.

Christopher Worrell, 52, opted to let a judge hear the evidence rather than going before a jury.

On Jan. 6, 2021, after the loss of President Donald Trump's reelection, a mob 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.

A photo included in a motion from the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia allegedly shows Christopher Worrell spraying pepper spray gel toward law enforcement officers outside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2020.
A photo included in a motion from the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia allegedly shows Christopher Worrell spraying pepper spray gel toward law enforcement officers outside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2020.

More: Trial for East Naples man charged in Jan. 6 mob begins Wednesday without jury

More: East Naples 'Proud Boy' trial includes evidence in the 100s for Jan. 6 Capitol riot

A video of the attack appeared to show Worrell and others accused of storming the building, attacking police officers, breaking building windows and wreaking other damage. Worrell said he is a member of The Proud Boys, a far-right, neo-fascist group that advocates for and participates in politically motivated violent events

Worrell's trial took 10 days, with the verdict delivered by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth on Friday. Lamberth set sentencing for Aug. 18.

More: Florida man charged with throwing explosive device at Jan. 6 riot, hurting officers

More: Collier man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot waives jury trial, guardian dines with Trump

Christopher Worrell speaks during public comment at the Collier County Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Christopher Worrell speaks during public comment at the Collier County Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Worrell had pleaded not guilty to all the original charges. He faced 19 counts.

Lamberth found Worrell guilty of seven counts:

  • 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.

As of mid-March, at least 975 people were charged with federal crimes for their roles in the riot — 502 have pleaded guilty and 382 have been sentenced. Of those, at least 192 people have received prison sentences.

Worrell is among at least 111 Florida residents charged in connection with the mob.

A clerk at the Washington, D.C., federal court was unable to confirm whether Worrell is in custody. His attorney, William Shipley, and court-approved custodian Trish Priller, 52, who used to work for the Naples Daily News, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: East Naples man Christopher Worrell guilty in attack on U.S. Capitol