First Proud Boys Leader Pleads Guilty In Jan. 6 Attack Case

Topline

A leader of the far-right Proud Boys pleaded guilty Friday to two charges for his role in storming and entering the Capitol on January 6, 2021, becoming the first member of the Proud Boys leadership to plead guilty to a case stemming from the attack on the Capitol.

Key Facts

Charles Donohoe, the leader of the group’s North Carolina chapter, pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington, D.C., to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, as well as assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer.

As part of the plea agreement, Donohoe agreed to cooperate with prosecutors as they prepare for trial against several other Proud Boys defendants.

Donohoe joined a crowd, including other Proud Boys, to advance up the stairs to the Capitol, overwhelming law enforcement officers, and eventually entering the Capitol building after one of Donohoe’s co-defendants broke open a window, according to court documents.

Donohoe faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, and up to eight years in prison for the officer charge, though he is likely to receive a lighter sentence as part of the plea deal.

Donohoe will be sentenced at a later court hearing, but the date for the hearing has not been set.

Key Background

Donohoe joined the group in 2018, becoming the President of his chapter in North Carolina and one of the highest-ranking members of Proud Boys by January 6, 2021, according to court documents. Enrique Tarrio, then Proud Boys national chairman and one of Donohoe’s co-defendants, formed a new Proud Boys’ chapter, the Ministry of Self Defense, in December 2020, which planned actions related to the January 6 rally. Donohoe was a leader of the new chapter, according to prosecutors. Donohoe was arrested and charged along with five other co-defendants, including Tarrio, in March 2021. The other co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Big Number

800. That’s about how many people have been charged for actions related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol last year, according to Insider. Sentences for those who have pleaded or have been found guilty have ranged from one month in prison to five years.

Tangent

D.C.’s Attorney General Karl Racine filed a civil lawsuit against Proud Boys and other right-wing extremist groups in December for their role in the Capitol riot, alleging the groups conspired to take part in a “planned terrorist attack.” The lawsuit seeks damages caused by the rioting, including medical costs for injured D.C. Metropolitan Police officers.

Further Reading

​​Ex-Proud Boys Leader Tarrio Charged For Role In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot (Forbes)

Proud Boys Leader Complains Group Members Are Being Too Harshly Punished For Jan. 6 (Forbes)