Five Proud Boys Associates Charged With Conspiracy After Capitol Hill Insurrection
Five individuals with associations to the Proud Boys organization have been arrested on conspiracy charges. The charges are the latest from the FBI’s aggressive efforts to identify individuals responsible for the January Six invasion of the Capitol building.
The five individuals have been identified as William Chrestman, Louis Enrique Colon, and Christopher Kuehne, who were arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, and siblings Cory and Felicia Konold, who were arrested in Arizona.
The criminal complaint against the five individuals alleges that they conspired together to “corruptly obstruct, influence, or impede an official proceeding before Congress, that is the certification of the Electoral College, and to obstruct, impede, or interfere with a law enforcement officer during the commission of a civil disorder.”
All of the individuals except Chrestman have been charged in a joint conspiracy filing. Chrestman is grouped with other individuals. Along with facing a charge of conspiracy, Chrestman is being accused of threatening to assault a federal police officer.
In the complaint against the five individuals, it is described that they “moved closely to each other” as they raided the capital. Footage captured that day shows the individuals wearing fluorescent orange tape that was adhered to their clothing. One FBI agent writes in the affidavit, "Based on my training and experience...the use of orange tape by multiple members in the crowd was a mark that was intended to identify persons for a particular purpose. The intent and purpose of this identifying tape remain under investigation." The complaint also identifies Kuehne as the subject carrying around the roll of fluorescent orange tape.
Footage Helped to Identify Rioters
There is no shortage of surveillance video depicting the activities of the five individuals that day. One video that was posted to what FBI agents believe is Felicia Konold’s social media account includes footage with a female voice proclaiming that she had just been “recruited into a [expletive] chapter from Kansas City.” She then shows off a coin that has the Proud Boys Insignia on it.
Felicia Konold and Chrestman can also be seen in another video marching down the streets chanting “Whose streets? Our streets.” Other photographs depict the pair associating with known leaders of the Proud Boys group and in one photograph, Chrestman can be seen holding a club and associating with the self-appointed “sergeant-at-arms” for the group, Ethan Nordean. Nordean is currently facing charges of his own, including obstructing Congress, entering restricted grounds, and aiding and abetting.
Proud Boys at the Center of FBI Investigation
Members of the Proud Boys have been highlighted as a driving force behind January’s siege of the Capitol. The alt-right extremist group are vocal supporters of the former president and have publicly announced their intentions to “stop the steal.” Because of their influence, the FBI has cracked down on identifying and arresting individuals in the group who participate in the raid of the Capitol.
In late January, the FBI arrested the 37-year-old leader of the Proud Boys, Joseph Randall Biggs, for the role he played in the insurrection. His charges included entering restricted grounds, obstruction of a proceeding, and disorderly conduct.
According to the Department of Justice, Biggs expressed his intentions on January Six through the popular conservative social media platform, Parler. Through Parler, Biggs encouraged members of the group to wear indistinguishable clothing that would allow them to blend in. In one statement, Biggs writes, "The only thing we'll do that's us is think like us! Jan 6th is gonna be epic."
While all five individuals are not specifically named as members of the Proud Boys organization, the complaint details strong evidence showing they have an affiliation with the group.
