Proud Boy Member Found Unconscious Ahead of Sentencing
Christopher Worrell, associated with the Proud Boys and set for sentencing due to his role in the January 6th events, was discovered unconscious at his Naples, Florida residence.
The FBI's Tampa division confirmed Worrell's hospitalization, though specifics about his health remain undisclosed.
Worrell, who was awaiting his sentencing under house arrest, vanished just days before his court date in Washington. The prosecution had recommended a 14-year prison term for charges including assault and obstruction of Congress. His sudden absence prompted an FBI search, culminating in the discovery of Worrell in his home.
Intriguingly, the FBI's search of Worrell's premises revealed night-vision goggles, survivalist equipment, and $4,000 in cash, hinting at a potential plan to elude authorities for a prolonged duration.
During the January 6th Capitol breach, 52-year-old Worrell was convicted of using pepper spray gel against officers. He defended his actions in court, asserting he aimed the spray at other rioters, a justification the presiding judge deemed implausible.
The Proud Boys, self-proclaimed as a "Western chauvinists" men's group, has ties to over three dozen individuals charged in relation to January 6th. Notably, Enrique Tarrio, the group's former national chairman, recently received a 22-year prison sentence, marking the lengthiest January 6th-related sentence to date.
Worrell's defense attorney, William Shipley, contended that Worrell had the spray gel and tactical vest in Washington for self-defense, referencing past altercations between Proud Boys and counter-protesters. Shipley proposed that the chaotic environment at the Capitol might have led to misunderstandings, potentially affecting the accuracy of Worrell's trial testimony.
To date, the aftermath of January 6th has seen over 1,100 individuals charged, with upwards of 650 sentenced. Court records indicate that about two-thirds of those sentenced are serving prison time.
