Proud Boys Member Christopher Worrell Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Capitol Insurrection

U.S. World Business Arts Lifestyle Opinion Audio Games Cooking Wirecutter The Athletic Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Christopher Worrell had gone on the run after his conviction last August, and was captured six weeks later. Christopher Worrell, circled, on Jan. 6, 2021. Credit... The Justice Department A Proud Boy from Florida who went on the lam after

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Christopher Worrell, a 52-year-old member of the Proud Boys from East Naples, Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who announced Worrell’s sentence, also imposed three years of supervised release following his prison term.Worrell was convicted on May 12, 2023, on multiple charges related to the insurrection, including 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, an act of physical violence in the U.S. Capitol grounds or buildings, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon.

The evidence presented in court showed that Worrell, who self-identified as a member of the “Hurricane Coast Zone 5” chapter of the Proud Boys, a neofascist white nationalist extremist organization, was actively involved in the riot. He was accused of pepper-spraying law enforcement officers, among other crimes, during the event.

Worrell’s legal proceedings faced delays when he removed his monitoring ankle bracelet and fled, triggering a six-week manhunt that ended with his capture at his girlfriend’s home in Naples. This escape attempt occurred four days before his originally scheduled sentencing date in August 2023.

The Department of Justice had initially sought a 14-year sentence for Worrell, considering his conduct during the insurrection and his subsequent actions, including fleeing and faking a drug overdose as a delay tactic. However, he ultimately received a 10-year sentence.