A member of the Proud Boys extremist group, William Chrestman, has been sentenced to over four years in prison for his involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Chrestman, an Army veteran from Olathe, Kansas, was found guilty of obstructing the joint session of Congress and threatening to assault a federal officer during the riot. He brandished an axe handle and threatened police with violence after leading other Proud Boys members to the perimeter of the Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Chrestman to four years and seven months in prison, taking into account his significant role and conduct during the riot. Prosecutors had recommended a slightly longer sentence, emphasizing Chrestman’s leadership among the rioters and his encouragement of their actions.
Chrestman has been in custody since his arrest in February 2021, and he will receive credit for the time already served. His defense attorney, Michael Cronkright, argued that Chrestman did not use the axe handle in a violent manner during the attack. Cronkright stated that the government’s assertion that Chrestman touched a security gate with the handle was the worst accusation against him.
In addition to the axe handle, Chrestman was equipped with a gas mask, a helmet, and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington with other Proud Boys members. He marched with them to the Capitol grounds and joined other rioters in breaching police barriers. Chrestman shouted threats at officers and encouraged the crowd to resist police actions.
The sentencing of Chrestman is part of the ongoing legal proceedings related to the Capitol riot. Over 1,200 individuals have been charged with federal crimes, with approximately 900 pleading guilty or being convicted. Out of those sentenced, nearly 500 have received prison terms. The Proud Boys, in particular, have faced numerous arrests, including their former national chairman, Enrique Tarrio, who received the longest sentence so far, 22 years, for seditious conspiracy charges.
The sentencing of Chrestman serves as a reminder of the consequences faced by those involved in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. It highlights the ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions on that fateful day.
