Jan. 6 Rioter Pleads Guilty to Threatening Hakeem Jeffries

A man previously charged in connection with the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot has pleaded guilty to a harassment charge after allegedly threatening to kill U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, prosecutors said. Christopher Moynihan, 35, entered the guilty plea during a court hearing in Clinton, New York, and is scheduled to be sentenced in April. Authorities said the case stemmed from threatening text messages sent regarding a public appearance Jeffries was due to make in New York City.

According to a criminal complaint, Moynihan sent messages stating he could not allow Jeffries to live and threatened to kill him. Prosecutors said the texts placed the recipient in reasonable fear of imminent violence. Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said threats against elected officials go beyond political speech and constitute criminal acts that endanger public safety and democratic institutions.

Moynihan had earlier been sentenced in February 2023 to 21 months in prison on charges including obstruction of an official proceeding related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He was among roughly 1,590 individuals charged over the riot involving supporters of President Donald Trump, who later issued pardons to many participants after returning to office. The Capitol breach aimed to disrupt certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

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