A Kansas man who took part in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach and prevented the arrest of a fellow demonstrator that day has been sentenced to over 4 years in prison.
A member of the Proud Boys who prevented the arrest of a fellow demonstrator at the U.S. Capitol, and wielded a wooden axe handle to threaten police officers who were shooting pepper balls at protesters, has been sentenced to more than four years behind bars.
William Chrestman, 51, from Olathe, Kansas, was sentenced to 55 months in prison on Jan. 12 for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). In October 2023, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and threatening a federal officer, both of which are felonies.
The sentencing by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly follows about a week after the third anniversary of the Capitol breach; the Biden administration has vowed to hunt down “all” Jan. 6 suspects—including ones who weren’t even there that day.
‘Whose Streets? Our Streets’
Prosecutors said that Mr. Chrestman, identified as a second-degree member of the Proud Boys group, made plans with fellow members to travel to the nation’s capital to show support for President Donald Trump and protest Congress’s certification of the Electoral College vote.
The group, including Mr. Chrestman, arrived in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 5, 2021, before heading to Washington.
On Jan. 6, Mr. Chrestman, wearing tactical gear and carrying a gas mask and wooden axe handle with a flag attached to it, joined a larger group of Proud Boys near the Washington Monument.
The group marched toward the U.S. Capitol, shouting slogans such as “Whose streets? Our streets.”
Confrontation With Law Enforcement
Prosecutors said Mr. Chrestman played a prominent role in the breach, encouraging demonstrators to move forward and breach the Capitol’s restricted grounds.
While remaining unlawfully on the Capitol’s West Front for over an hour, Mr. Chrestman was at the front of the crowd for much of the time, encouraging others to move forward.
By Tom Ozimek
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