Proud Boys member Christopher Worrell, who was found guilty of seven charges in connection with pepper spraying a police officer during the January 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol, was supposed to be sentenced last Friday in Florida. Prosecutors were asking for a sentence of up to 14 years in jail.
However, Worrell has apparently disappeared and is now a fugitive from justice, according to the Associated Press.
Worrell had been on house arrest since November, 2021, when federal judge Royce Lamberth — who also presided over Worrell’s criminal trial — found that Worrell had been deprived of his rights by prison officials in D.C. Lamberth determined that those officials had willfully delayed treatment for Worrell’s broken hand and his non-Hodgkins lymphoma, found them in contempt, and ordered Worrell released to house arrest. Since that time, Worrell has been living at his home in Naples, Florida.
However, Worrell did not show up for his sentencing and has apparently disappeared, along with the woman who was listed as his custodian during house arrest.
In light of these developments, Worrell’s sentencing hearing was canceled and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Federal authorities ask that anyone who has information about Worrell’s whereabouts to come forward and contact either their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy. When found, Worrell will likely face numerous additional charges, if he is found to have fled to avoid sentencing.
Worrell’s lawyer did not return a request for comment.
Worrell was convicted by Lamberth in a bench trial, who said in his ruling, “The evidence demonstrates that Mr. Worrell traveled to Washington, D.C., for the purpose of ensuring that the Electoral College Certification of President Biden failed. The evidence shows that he then furthered that goal, by both joining the mob and then by spraying the officers.”