Source: US FBI
WASHINGTON – A brother and sister from Arizona both pleaded guilty today to a felony charge for their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Cory Konold, 28, and Felicia Konold, 29, both of Tucson, Arizona, pleaded guilty to obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and aiding and abetting, a felony, before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly in the District of Columbia. Cory and Felicia Konold are scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 24, 2024.
According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Cory and Felicia made contact with a group of men that included co-defendants William Chrestman, Christopher Kuehne, Luis Enrique Colon, and Ryan Ashlock, all of whom were members of the Proud Boys from the Kansas City area. After joining with the Kansas City Proud Boys, the Konolds followed the men to the National Mall, where they joined with a larger group of Proud Boys members and associates from around the country.
The Konolds then followed the large Proud Boys group as it marched across the National Mall and in the streets near the U.S. Capitol while shouting, among other things, “Whose streets? Our streets!” The group ultimately made their way to the west side of the Capitol’s grounds, outside of the restricted, fenced-off perimeter of barricades guarded by uniformed United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers. At that location, the Konolds, Proud Boys, and other individuals gathered outside the barricades and chanted phrases including “Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!”
Shortly before 1:00 p.m., members of the crowd breached the line of barriers and surged toward the Capitol building. The force of the crowd’s combined numbers caused the USCP officers stationed at the barricades to retreat. Just as the first police line was being overwhelmed, the Konolds made their way to the front of the crowd and became some of the first rioters to trample over the toppled barricades. The siblings then made their way past multiple subsequent lines of barricades and onto the Capitol’s Lower West Plaza, inside the restricted area.
The Konolds remained in this area despite being commanded by the USCP and Metropolitan Police Department officers to disperse. The two remained in close contact with co-defendant Chesterman, who made various efforts to instigate the crowd and oppose police efforts to quell the riot. Near the base of the erected inaugural scaffolding, the Konolds and other members of the crowd came up against another line of police attempting to hold a series of barricades. Members of the crowd were trying to break through the line by force; however, the Konolds, Chrestman, and others opposed this effort, using the force of their bodies to try to push back the barriers and officers. Eventually, the Konolds made their way to the base of the Capitol building and onto the Upper West Terrace. The siblings illegally entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:25 p.m.
Once inside, The Konolds made their way into the Crypt. Here, the two witnessed a crowd of rioters prevent police from closing a large metal barrier, which would have prevented rioters from progressing further. After witnessing this incident, the Konolds progressed into the Capitol Visitor Center and eventually exited the building via the Senate Wing Door. While inside the building, Cory Konold took possession of a USCP riot helmet. He brought the helmet home with him, and a family member later voluntarily turned it over to law enforcement at the defendant’s direction.
After the events of January 6, Felicia Konold made posts to social media in which she stated, in part: “I never could have imagined having that much of an influence on the events that unfolded today. Dude, people were willing to follow. You f— lead, and everyone had my back, dude… We f— did it.”
The Konolds were arrested on Feb. 11, 2021, in Arizona.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Phoenix and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Capitol Police provided valuable assistance.
In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.