Texas Man and Proud Boys Member Convicted for Role in Capitol Riot
WASHINGTON – A Texas man and member of the Proud Boys was found guilty of felony and misdemeanor charges on September 18, 2024, for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The actions of Jeffrey David Reed, 49, of Rosanky, Texas, and others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to certify the 2020 presidential election results.
Reed was convicted of a felony offense of civil disorder and multiple misdemeanor offenses, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The verdict was delivered by U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Boasberg following a bench trial in the District Court for the District of Columbia. Sentencing is scheduled for December 20, 2024.
According to trial evidence, Reed, a member of the Proud Boys’ Hudson Valley chapter in New York, actively participated in the January 6 events in Washington, D.C., as part of the group’s organized efforts. Reed was involved in breaching the restricted perimeter near the Peace Circle by breaking through metal bike rack barriers and snow fencing marked with “Area Closed” signs. This initial breach forced police officers to retreat and form a second defensive line between the rioters and the Capitol.
Reed advanced to the front of the mob and moved another set of metal bike rack barriers, allowing thousands of rioters to press forward toward the Capitol building. Outnumbered, police officers were forced to retreat to the West Plaza. Reed continued to confront officers at a third police line behind a metal railing, part of the construction for the Inaugural Stage. Despite law enforcement’s efforts to hold the line, they were overwhelmed after over an hour of resistance.
During the struggle at the Southwest staircase, Reed physically pulled on a metal bike rack, causing an officer to fall. The mob, including Reed, then stormed the staircase and the Inaugural Stage before breaching the Capitol building.
At approximately 2:26 p.m., Reed entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door, stepping over broken glass and navigating the chaos. He reached the Speaker’s Lobby outside the House Chamber and exited the Capitol around 2:49 p.m. via the East Rotunda Door. After exiting, Reed remained on Capitol grounds, climbing on law enforcement vehicles and tearing up a “Police Lives Matter” flag on the East steps of the Capitol.
The case is prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with assistance from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Antonio, Washington, and New York Field Offices, with support from the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, more than 1,504 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol breach, including over 560 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation is ongoing.
