Proud Boy Charles Donohoe Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Snitch on Others
April 8, 2022, WASHINGTON, D.C. — Charles Donohoe (above right), a member of the Proud Boys who was indicted along with Enrique Tarrio (above left), Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zachary Rehl on conspiracy charges in relation to January 6 Capitol Breach, has taken a plea deal today and agreed to cooperate against the other co-defendants.
Jordan Fischer reported on the federal indictment when it dropped earlier this year:
A federal indictment against four leaders of the Proud Boys unsealed on Friday lays out in detail the steps the group allegedly took to avoid law enforcement detection while planning to disrupt the joint session of Congress on January 6.
The indictment includes charges of conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of law enforcement and destruction of government property against four high-ranking members of the Proud Boys:
Ethan Nordean, aka “Rufio Panman,” the 30-year-old leader of the Proud Boys Elders chapter and president of the Washington state chapter.
Joseph Biggs, aka “Sergeant Biggs” a 37-year-old Proud Boys organizer from Florida.
Zachary Rehl, 35, the president of the Philadelphia chapter of the Proud Boys.
Charles Donohoe, 33, the president of a Proud Boys chapter in North Carolina.
Nordean and Biggs were previously charged individually, and at least some of the details in the indictment – like instructions for Proud Boys to come dressed ‘incognito’ and to use encrypted messaging apps and handheld Chinese radios – have previously been alleged in court.
Among the new information are revelations about the worries that spread through the group after Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested in D.C. in the days before the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally. According to the indictment, after Tarrio’s arrest the Proud Boys were concerned their encrypted communications would be compromised. The indictment alleges that Donohoe created a new encrypted channel and ‘took steps to destroy or ‘nuke’ the earlier channel.’
Donohoe allegedly went further, posting that, ‘Everything is compromised and we can be looking at gang charges.’
Another new encrypted channel, called ‘Boots on the Ground,’ was made on January 5. The FBI alleges that during the riot more than 60 users participated in that channel.
At 9:09 p.m. on January 5, the FBI says users on the new encrypted channels received instructions telling them, ‘Rufio is in charge, cops are the primary threat, don’t get caught by them or BLM, don’t get drunk until off the street.’
The indictment also says on December 27, Nordean created an online crowdfunding campaign which solicited donations for ‘protective gear and communications’ to be used by the Proud Boys on January 6. The FBI says Rehl posted a link to a similar fundraiser with the name ‘Travel Expenses for Upcoming Patriot Events’ that raised more than $5,500 in donations.
The Proud Boys are not the only group now indicted on conspiracy charges. In February, a federal grand jury indicted nine alleged members of the Oath Keepers militia group on multiple charges for allegedly conspiring to travel to D.C. on January 6 to disrupt the certification of Electoral College votes. – Jordan Fischer
I believe the conspiracy charges to be patently absurd on its face, but I think many of these defendants are broken by pre-trial detention, intimidated by the government, or given improper legal advice and end up taking plea deals. They might find it hard to trust the legal system as the deck is stacked against them, particularly with a jury in D.C.
Donohoe is pleading guilty to CONSPIRACY and ASSAULTING POLICE on January 6, both felonies. His plea agreement will include cooperation in the ongoing case against other Proud Boys, including former national chairman Enrique Tarrio.
Judge Kelly says Charles Donohoe will have an estimated offense level of 27 with no criminal history, which would put his recommended sentencing range at 70-87 months in prison. Even at the lowest end, that would be the longest sentence handed down in the January 6 cases so far.
However, Judge Kelly notes, the DOJ “could” choose to file a motion for downward departure if his cooperation in the case is substantial enough. But there’s no guarantee they will do so. He’s the first defendant in the PB leaders case to accept a plea deal from the government.
Donohoe will remain in pre-sentencing detention. Unlike many of the other January 6 defendants, he was never transferred to D.C. Obviously, there would be some concerns if he were to be held in the same unit as people he’ll be testifying against.
This is a big difference between just talk and an actual “plan” and criminal conspiracy.
Of course, Charles Donohue has also been successfully “re-educated” by the government. As part of his plea, he didn’t just admit his own role in planning and participating in Jan. 6. He offered confirmation Proud Boys leaders were considering “storming” the Capitol in advance and that the group was prepared to use “force and violence.”
Here is the full “Conspiracy” Indictment:
https://www.scribd.com/document/568679194/Proud-Boys-Conspiracy-Indictment