WASHINGTON, D.C. – A leader of the Proud Boys pleaded guilty today to felony charges for his actions before and during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His and others’ actions disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Charles Donohoe, 34, of Kernersville, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. As part of the plea agreement, Donohoe has agreed to cooperate with the government’s ongoing investigation.
According to court documents, the Proud Boys describes itself as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world, aka Western Chauvinists.” Donohoe joined the Proud Boys in 2018 and became the president of his local Proud Boys chapter in North Carolina. As of Jan. 6, 2021, he was a fourth-degree member of the Proud Boys, the highest rank within the organization.
In December 2020, according to the court documents, Enrique Tarrio, then the Proud Boys national chairman, formed a new Proud Boys’ chapter known as the “Ministry of Self Defense,” which focused on the planning and execution of national rallies. The first objective of the Ministry of Self Defense was to plan for actions in relation to the Washington, D.C., rally on Jan. 6, 2021. Donohoe was a leader of this new chapter, which eventually grew to include at least 65 members.
At least as early as Jan. 4, 2021, Donohoe was aware that the Ministry of Self Defense’s leaders were discussing the possibility of storming the Capitol. Donohoe believed that storming the Capitol would achieve the group’s goal of stopping the government from carrying out the transfer of presidential power. Donohoe understood from discussions that the Proud Boys would pursue their objective through the use of force and violence.
On Jan. 6, 2021, Donohoe was part of a group of 100 or more Proud Boys who marched away from a rally near the Washington Monument towards the Capitol. Shortly after 12 p.m., the group was assembled two blocks west of the Capitol, and Donohoe understood that other Proud Boys leaders were searching for an opportunity to storm the Capitol. At approximately 1 p.m., the group arrived at the Capitol and began breaching the barriers surrounding the Capitol grounds. While in the West Plaza of the Capitol, Donohoe threw two water bottles at a line of law enforcement officers who were attempting to prevent the mob’s advance in the West Plaza at the Capitol building. As events continued, Donohoe joined with a crowd, including other Proud Boys, to push forward to advance up the concrete stairs toward the Capitol. The crowd overwhelmed law enforcement officers on the stairs, continued toward the Capitol, and ultimately entered the Capitol building after Donohoe’s co-defendant, Dominic Pezzola, allegedly broke open a window of the building.
Hours later, Donohoe posted messages to the Ministry of Self Defense Leadership Group celebrating the group’s actions that day.
Donohoe was arrested on March 11, 2021, and he has been detained since his arrest. He is among six defendants – including Tarrio and Pezzola – indicted in the District of Columbia on conspiracy and other charges; the others have pleaded not guilty. Donohoe faces up to 20 years in prison on the conspiracy charge and up to eight years in prison on the charge of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers. Both charges also carry potential financial penalties. No sentencing date was set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington and Charlotte Field Offices.
In the 15 months since Jan. 6, 2021, nearly 800 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 250 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The way that some people have turned their back on America & it’s values makes me sick! Whatever goes around, comes around!
Not everyone has to have your “values” tho… what would Jesus do?
What does a heathen like you know about Jesus?
He looks like a homeless unwashed pile of dirty laundry. What could he possibly have to be proud of?
saving water?
You’ve all seen the MULTIPLE videos of Ray Epps giving loud and clear instructions for people to GO INTO THE CAPITOL. If Ray Epps isn’t in jail, nobody should be in jail over Jan 6th. It was an FBI operation and an FBI coverup. *See Gretchen Whitmer “abduction” case/FBI hoax.
https://ctc.usma.edu/the-conspiracy-to-kidnap-governor-gretchen-whitmer/
What about Ray?
Epps was interviewed by the Committee on Friday.
Gee. I wonder if he told them the truth. Epps should have been the very first one the FBI/DOJ went after, instead of chasing the very people that shouted “FED! FED! FED!” at Epps. Chances are good that Ray Epps has had plenty of time to craft and tune his story to fit what the ‘Committee’ wants to hear. If you think Liz Cheney isn’t chasing an agenda instead of the truth, you are in for surprises.
I suspect she does want to stay in office and since Trump wants her out, she went on the offensive and joined the 1-6 Committee.
The people of Wyoming/America want Liz Cheney out too. The wrong people have been put in jail and held there over Jan 6th. Many of them will come out the other end of this as millionaires on the taxpayer’s dime. It’s a stinking mess and Liz Cheney has chosen to be on the top of the pile.
Yeah…lead people to that 15 month-old link. It’s a perfect example of the lies the government has been spoon-feeding the sheep. It didn’t age well considering the recent aquittals.
Wonderful to see that we still have some young people that think for themselves and haven’t swallowed all the garbage the “institution” is trying to shove down their throats and put in their heads.
Sounds like a you are re-imagining the rough night you had with the wife?
Leave my wife out of it. She didn’t run off with my children
How can this happen? The only people attacking the Capital that day were Antifa and FBI agents disguised as Trumptin supporters.
Ha ha. Got any proof?
Release the takes Pelosi is hiding, then we may know more
Pelosi isn’t hiding anything. You are nuts.
Pelosi is a crooked insider-trading millionaire Deep State Trump hating/fearing witch and you don’t think she has her hand in this Jan 6th event? Wake up.
I agree. Congress should not be allowed to trade stocks or be involved in that casino.
What is wrong with being a “Trump hating/fearing” person? There are millions of them worldwide and that number is growing.
Wrong..the number that’s growing is the % of Americans that see that Biden’s crew cheated him into the White House, and he is poisoning America’s future.
What about Jared?
check subway commercials
Yes, get it warmed up for Hunter
And Jared.
High Noon Hanging. Public Welcome.
Start with the scum that terrorized the country for months, BLM/ANTIFA, during the “Summer Of Love 2020”.
That right there is a Bull’s Eye!
They are all in it! DC is a Mafia!