William Chrestman, a 51-year-old Proud Boys member from Kansas, received a 55-month prison sentence for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C., also mandated 36 months of supervised release and a $2,000 restitution payment. Chrestman, an Army veteran, admitted guilt in October to obstructing an official proceeding and threatening a federal officer.
During the insurrection, Chrestman was equipped with a tactical vest, protective gloves, a gas mask, and a wooden axe handle with a flag. Prosecutors accused him of intimidating police, as evidenced by his own admission of hindering officers during the riot. He encouraged other rioters to enter the Capitol, using his axe handle to keep doors open. In one instance, he threatened the police with his axe handle.
Although prosecutors sought a longer sentence of over five years, highlighting Chrestman’s significant role in the insurrection, his attorney argued that he did not engage in violent acts with his axe handle. Chrestman, in custody since February 2021, will get credit for the nearly three years served.
The Jan. 6 insurrection has led to charges against over 1,200 individuals, with approximately 900 guilty pleas or convictions. Only two have been completely acquitted.
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