Five more rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 now face federal conspiracy charges and other offenses.
They join a growing list of Capitol rioters who allegedly conspired to attack Congress. The group of five was charged in a complaint with violating 18 U.S.C. 371, “by conspiring together, and with others known and unknown, (i) to corruptly obstruct, influence, or impede an official proceeding before Congress” — that is, the Electoral College certification.
An affidavit in support of the charges against William Chrestman, Christopher Kuehne, Louis Enrique Colo, Felicia Konold and Cory Konold also accuses them of conspiring to obstruct law enforcement during the commission of civil disorder, and other offenses.
Chrestman was additionally charged with threatening to assault a federal law enforcement officer.
All five were arrested today, according to the Department of Justice.
The conspiracy charges add to similar charges against members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, two far-right groups whose members are accused of planning their roles in the attack.
Federal prosecutors have said that as time progresses, they expect more complex charges involving alleged conspiracies and violence against the police and media.
The five people against whom charges were announced Thursday are alleged to have marched on the Capitol with a group of Proud Boys, the far-right street gang. Members of that group have already been charged for their alleged activities.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendants strategically used fluorescent orange tape, seemingly to identify themselves to each other, and wore tactical gear.
“The SUBJECTS not only moved closely to each other in proximity, but also appeared to gesture and communicate to one another both before and while inside the Capitol in an apparent effort to coordinate their efforts,” the affidavit alleged.
After allegedly breaking past the initial security barriers on Capitol grounds, Chrestman and the two Konolds were allegedly at the front of the crowd confronting Capitol Police at the Capitol Building’s steps.
“You shoot and I’ll take your fucking ass out!” Chrestman allegedly yelled at Capitol Police officers.
At one point, as Capitol Police attempted to arrest someone, Chrestman allegedly yelled “Don’t let them take him!” to the crowd around him. “Let him go!” Felicia Konold allegedly added.
Later, Konold, Chrestman, Kuenhe and Colon each took “deliberate” steps to prevent police from closing metal barriers meant to keep the crowd out of tunnels beneath the Capitol. Chrestman allegedly used an axe handle he was carrying to hold a barrier up.
After the attack, on Snapchat, Felicia Konold allegedly bragged about her role.
“I never could [unintelligible] have imagined having that much of an influence on the events that unfolded today,” she allegedly said.
“Dude, people were willing to follow. You fucking lead, and everyone had my back, dude, everyone, fucking wall, legit, in the air, up against the fence, [unintelligible], three lines of police, fence, me, not even on the ground, my feet weren’t even on the ground, all my boys, behind me, holding me up in the air, pushing back. [Laughs] We fucking did it.”
