‘Tool’ of the Proud Boys from Naples convicted of Jan. 6 police assault, rioting

A Florida Proud Boys member whose medical mistreatment at the D.C. jail led a judge to order his pretrial release and to find jail authorities in contempt of court 19 months ago was convicted Friday of assaulting police, rioting and other charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Christopher Worrell, 52, of Naples, was found guilty after a five-day bench trial on all seven counts, including felony charges of obstructing Congress’s confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results and assaulting police with a deadly or dangerous weapon by spraying three officers with pepper gel.

Worrell and co-defendant Daniel Lyons Scott were previously described as “tools,” or examples of Proud Boys whose actions on Jan. 6 were orchestrated or inspired by four leaders of the right-wing group found guilty last week of seditious conspiracy. Worrell interacted with former Proud Boys chairman Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and knew by name the group’s Jan. 6 march co-leader, Ethan Nordean. Worrell was seen on Jan. 6 moving with Scott, known as “Milkshake.” Scott was recorded yelling during the Proud Boys march, “Let’s take the f––-g Capitol!” — and told by leaders to remain silent — even before President Donald Trump told supporters to go to the Capitol.

But Friday, before setting sentencing for Aug. 18, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth said his verdict was “not the product of guilt by association.”

“Even focusing on what Mr. Worrell said, did and knew, [his] purpose to impede or obstruct the electoral college certification has been proven to me beyond a reasonable doubt,” Lamberth said.

“He wanted the mob to take the Capitol . . . . No one can doubt that he did actually spray that pepper gel,” the judge said.

Prosecutors produced images recorded from multiple angles showing that Worrell sprayed in the direction of police and that three officers reacted to being hit at the same time and place. They also cited supporting witness testimony, as well as Worrell’s conflicting statements from the stand and to the FBI.

Defense attorney William Shipley argued that the government’s case was circumstantial, not conclusive. He also argued that Worrell’s actions may have been reckless but not intended to cause bodily injury, and that he did not enter the Capitol building itself, instead backed away from police lines well before the building was breached. Prosecutors had “taken misdemeanor conduct and converted into a felony,” Shipley said in closing arguments, criticizing the obstruction charge against his client.

Lamberth concluded it was “preposterous” for Worrell to claim he was a “lone hero” that day helping police by spraying farleft agitators. Worrell belied that explanation in statements, including when he celebrated his actions and those of Scott, who “body-slammed” two officers guarding a stairway leading to the building, triggering a critical breach of a second police line.

Worrell is a cancer survivor, living with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His defense attorney and the judge noted his medical mistreatment by the jail and his ongoing condition. Lamberth allowed Worrell to remain on home release pending sentencing, saying he was not a flight risk.