Six people associated with the Proud Boys, were indicted by a grand jury sitting in federal court in the District of Columbia with conspiring to obstruct or impede an official proceeding and to impede or interfere with law enforcement during the commission of a civil disorder, among other charges.
William Chrestman, 47, Christopher Kuehne, 47, and Ryan Ashlock, 21, of Kansas State; Louis Enrique Colon, 44, of Missouri; and Felicia Konold, 27, and Cory Conold, 25, of Arizona, were indicted today by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia with conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of five years, along with obstruction of an official proceeding, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, and two counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, which carries a maximum penalty of one year or, if committed while carrying a dangerous weapon, a maximum penalty of ten years.
In addition, Chrestman is charged with threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer, with the intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with such law enforcement officer while the officer was engaged in and on account of the performance of their official duties, and for carrying a wooden axe handle while on the Capitol building and grounds.
According to the indictment, Chrestman, Kuehne, Colon, and Ashlock were members of the Kansas City Chapter of the Proud Boys, a group self-described as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists.” Chrestman, Kuehne, Colon, and Ashlock all traveled to Washington, D.C. from the Kansas City metropolitan area.
On January 6, 2021, they met with other Proud Boys on the National Mall. Felicia Konold and Cory Konold traveled to meet up with the group and went with them to the Capitol.
The indictment alleges that the defendants planned with each other, and with others known and unknown, to enter the Capitol forcibly on January 6, and to stop, delay, and hinder the Congressional proceeding occurring that day.
The defendants brought and wore paramilitary gear and supplies—including camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection, and radio equipment, and affixed orange tape to their clothing and tactical gear to identify each other. The defendants marched with other members of the Proud Boys to the Capitol and forcibly stormed past exterior barricades, U.S. Capitol Police officers, and law enforcement officers before all but Ashlock entered the Capitol.
The indictment also alleges that Chrestman faced the crowd of rioters on the Plaza, including Kuehne, Colon, Ashlock, Felicia Konold, and Cory Konold, and shouted, “Whose house is this?” The crowd responded, “Our house!” Chrestman shouted, “Do you want your house back?” The crowd responded, “Yes!” Chrestman shouted back, “Take it!” CHRESTMAN shouted at a Capitol Police officer who was preparing to fire non-lethal projectiles to protect the Capitol, “You shoot and I’ll take your fucking ass out!” Felicia Konold shouted to the crowd of rioters to “fight for America” while the crowd was held at the Plaza.
Chrestman, Kuehne, Colon, Felicia Konold, and Cory Konold proceeded into the Capitol building and attempted to disable crash barriers — barriers that descend from the ceiling to the floor, which Capitol Police used to try to prevent rioters from advancing further into the Capitol building.
The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, the District of Kansas, and the Western District of Missouri. The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the FBI’s Kansas City and Arizona Divisions.
The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com.
The FBI is looking for individuals who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at https://tips.fbi.gov/.