Jan. 6 Proud Boys Defendant Christopher Worrell, Faces 10 Years in Prison

A member of the far-right Jan. 6 Proud Boys group, Christopher Worrell, faced a 10-year prison sentence on Thursday for charges related to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, according to CBS News.

The conviction included assaulting police officers during the attack. Worrell, hailing from Florida, made headlines after removing his ankle monitor in an attempt to escape law enforcement.

Worrell, 52, was initially charged with assaulting law enforcement officers during the Capitol riot.

At a bench trial last year, he was found guilty of seven counts, with prosecutors alleging that he had sprayed law enforcement officers defending the north side of the Capitol against rioters.

Before his sentencing, Worrell emotionally expressed remorse, acknowledging that his conduct on January 6 was "inexcusable and unjustified."

He apologized to law enforcement and members of Congress, stating, "Nearly three years ago today, I made some choices I sincerely regret."

Christopher Worrell failed to appear at his August sentencing hearing in Washington, DC.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, leading to a six-week manhunt.

The FBI issued an alert seeking assistance locating Worrell, who was eventually apprehended in September as he tried to return home.

Jan. 6 Proud Boys Member Christopher Worrell's Escape Attempt

Four days before his scheduled sentencing in August, Christopher Worrell removed his ankle monitor and fled, sparking a nationwide manhunt, ABC News reports.

Upon his arrest in Naples, Florida, the FBI found him unresponsive, equipped with night-vision goggles, a wallet containing around $4,000, and a bag with new camping gear.

Christopher Worrell admitted to faking an opioid overdose as a strategy to delay sentencing. During his alleged recovery in the hospital, sheriff's deputies guarded him.

The government revealed that Worrell had coordinated his trip to DC with other Proud Boys, carrying weapons such as a shield and pepper gel, which he used on Capitol Police officers during the riot.

According to a sentencing memo filed by the Justice Department on August 13, once on Capitol grounds, Worrell engaged in a half-hour tirade of vitriol directed at the overwhelmed officers attempting to restrain the mob.

Furthermore, the memo states that when Worrell observed an opportunity to deploy pepper spray at the police line from deep within the crowd, he seized that chance.

In addition to the prison sentence, US District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ordered 36 months of supervised release and restitution of $2,000.

Acknowledgment of the Court's Impact on Medical Treatment

During the sentencing hearing, Christopher Worrell credited Judge Lamberth with saving his life two years ago when he was released from pretrial detention over concerns about his medical treatment.

Worrell, who has a rare form of chronic lymphoma, expressed gratitude, saying, "You very likely saved my life."

Judge Lamberth acknowledged Worrell's impact on prompting inquiries into medical treatment in pretrial confinement, leading to reforms and improvements for hundreds of inmates, as per POLITICO.

Reflecting on the entire Jan. 6 investigation, Lamberth noted, "Some good came of all this," highlighting positive changes prompted by Worrell's concerns.

As Christopher Worrell praised prosecutors and the court for their fairness, he regretted his actions on that fateful day.

"If I could go back in time, I would change many things about that horrible day," former Jan.6 Proud Boys member Worrell said.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Naples 'Proud Boy' Christopher Worrell sentenced to 10 years prison for Jan. 6 involvement - From NBC2 News