Matthew Greene, a member of the extremist group known as the Proud Boys, pleaded guilty this week to two criminal charges tied to the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, including conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding.
The 34-year-old Syracuse, New York, resident was arrested this April. Greene, prosecutors said, conspired with other members of the “Western chauvinist” group ahead of counting electoral votes on Jan. 6. Greene joined the hate network a mere month before the siege.
He admitted to planning the trip to Washington and was indicted alongside two other New York defendants: Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe. Pezzola, a former U.S. Marine, was charged with breaking a window at the Capitol with a police shield. He was also allegedly party to a group that said it wanted to kill former Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, as well as harm people on Inauguration Day. Pepe was charged with unlawful entry and disorderly conduct. Both Pezzola and Pepe have pleaded not guilty.
Greene waived his right to a jury trial. He now faces a sentence that could range from 41 to 51 months. Fines max out at $150,000, and prosecutors have suggested that his sentence could be reduced if he cooperates with the Jan. 6 Committee.
Greene has agreed to do so. His trial date is set for March, but since Greene’s attorneys have said he will help the investigation, that trial could be expedited.
Greene communicated with fellow rioters over “programmable radios” ahead of the attack on the Capitol and met with alleged co-conspirators at the Washington Monument in the run-up. He also concealed his association with the Proud Boys intentionally.
When Greene stormed the building, prosecutors say he was among the first to cross police lines after witnessing others “tearing down barricades.” Moving into the restricted zone, he advanced onto the Capitol’s plaza and watched as rioters overran and assaulted police.
“Finally, after exiting the stairs, he participated with other rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, in moving additional police barricades,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement announcing Greene’s guilty plea Thursday.
Greene’s attorney insists no entry occurred.
Regardless, according to Greene’s plea agreement, his cooperation entails “answering questions, providing sworn written statements, taking government-administered polygraph examinations and participating in covert law enforcement activities.”
He must remit all evidence of crimes he is aware of, any contraband or proceeds he received from such crimes, and any assets that can be traced back to them. Notably, his cooperation also means he waives his right to have an attorney present with he meets with law enforcement agents or government attorneys. That can change through a written waiver. In the meantime, he must pay $2,000 in restitution.
Matthew Greene Plea Agreement by Daily Kos on Scribd
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All of this is useful to the Jan. 6 Committee’s investigation as it continues to build its case for public hearings looming in the weeks ahead.
On Wednesday, Greene’s attorney, Michael Kasmarek, told Judge Timothy Kelly that Greene had already been a part of “very detailed discussions about all aspects of this case.”
An attorney for Dominic Pezzola stated publicly this week that Greene’s plea had no bearing on Pezzola’s claim to innocence.
Over 700 people have been charged in the Justice Department’s massive investigation of the Capitol attack, and many are associated with extremist groups.
Proud Boys member James Robert “Jim Bob” Elliott, a 24-year-old man from Illinois, was recently charged with various felonies, including assaulting a federal officer, civil disorder, entering restricted grounds with a deadly weapon, engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, and more.
Elliott, prosecutors say, thrust a flagpole into the face of one officer after forcing his way over barricades. He also carried an American flag, wore black tactical gear, and had bear spray and chemical irritants on him.
Several Oath Keepers have been indicted as part of the probe. On Monday, a federal judge in Washington ruled—after a six-month-long deliberation—to uphold conspiracy charges brought against 17 members of the extremist group.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta agreed to keep obstruction of official proceeding charges intact after a challenge to their constitutionality by the Oath Keeper defendants.
Mehta highlighted how the defendants brought weapons to Washington, stowed some in Virginia, and took heed of their leader Stuart Rhodes’ calls to support Trump’s agenda and stand up to “enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup.” Three Oath Keepers so far have agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Rhodes has been subpoenaed as well by the Jan. 6 Committee.
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Elmer Rhodes Subpoena Lette... by Daily Kos
The 34-year-old Syracuse, New York, resident was arrested this April. Greene, prosecutors said, conspired with other members of the “Western chauvinist” group ahead of counting electoral votes on Jan. 6. Greene joined the hate network a mere month before the siege.
He admitted to planning the trip to Washington and was indicted alongside two other New York defendants: Dominic Pezzola and William Pepe. Pezzola, a former U.S. Marine, was charged with breaking a window at the Capitol with a police shield. He was also allegedly party to a group that said it wanted to kill former Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, as well as harm people on Inauguration Day. Pepe was charged with unlawful entry and disorderly conduct. Both Pezzola and Pepe have pleaded not guilty.
Greene waived his right to a jury trial. He now faces a sentence that could range from 41 to 51 months. Fines max out at $150,000, and prosecutors have suggested that his sentence could be reduced if he cooperates with the Jan. 6 Committee.
Greene has agreed to do so. His trial date is set for March, but since Greene’s attorneys have said he will help the investigation, that trial could be expedited.
Greene communicated with fellow rioters over “programmable radios” ahead of the attack on the Capitol and met with alleged co-conspirators at the Washington Monument in the run-up. He also concealed his association with the Proud Boys intentionally.
When Greene stormed the building, prosecutors say he was among the first to cross police lines after witnessing others “tearing down barricades.” Moving into the restricted zone, he advanced onto the Capitol’s plaza and watched as rioters overran and assaulted police.
“Finally, after exiting the stairs, he participated with other rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, in moving additional police barricades,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement announcing Greene’s guilty plea Thursday.
Greene’s attorney insists no entry occurred.
Regardless, according to Greene’s plea agreement, his cooperation entails “answering questions, providing sworn written statements, taking government-administered polygraph examinations and participating in covert law enforcement activities.”
He must remit all evidence of crimes he is aware of, any contraband or proceeds he received from such crimes, and any assets that can be traced back to them. Notably, his cooperation also means he waives his right to have an attorney present with he meets with law enforcement agents or government attorneys. That can change through a written waiver. In the meantime, he must pay $2,000 in restitution.
Matthew Greene Plea Agreement by Daily Kos on Scribd
Scribd Content
All of this is useful to the Jan. 6 Committee’s investigation as it continues to build its case for public hearings looming in the weeks ahead.
On Wednesday, Greene’s attorney, Michael Kasmarek, told Judge Timothy Kelly that Greene had already been a part of “very detailed discussions about all aspects of this case.”
An attorney for Dominic Pezzola stated publicly this week that Greene’s plea had no bearing on Pezzola’s claim to innocence.
Over 700 people have been charged in the Justice Department’s massive investigation of the Capitol attack, and many are associated with extremist groups.
Proud Boys member James Robert “Jim Bob” Elliott, a 24-year-old man from Illinois, was recently charged with various felonies, including assaulting a federal officer, civil disorder, entering restricted grounds with a deadly weapon, engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, and more.
Elliott, prosecutors say, thrust a flagpole into the face of one officer after forcing his way over barricades. He also carried an American flag, wore black tactical gear, and had bear spray and chemical irritants on him.
Several Oath Keepers have been indicted as part of the probe. On Monday, a federal judge in Washington ruled—after a six-month-long deliberation—to uphold conspiracy charges brought against 17 members of the extremist group.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta agreed to keep obstruction of official proceeding charges intact after a challenge to their constitutionality by the Oath Keeper defendants.
Mehta highlighted how the defendants brought weapons to Washington, stowed some in Virginia, and took heed of their leader Stuart Rhodes’ calls to support Trump’s agenda and stand up to “enemies foreign and domestic who are attempting a coup.” Three Oath Keepers so far have agreed to cooperate with authorities.
Rhodes has been subpoenaed as well by the Jan. 6 Committee.
Scribd Content
Elmer Rhodes Subpoena Lette... by Daily Kos