‘Lectern Guy’ Plans Fake ‘Going To Prison’ Party At Caddy's Bradenton To Misdirect Media

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — After being photographed carrying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s lectern throughout the U.S. Capitol building, a convicted Jan. 6, 2021, rioter from Parrish is heading to prison for 75 days.

But before Adam Johnson — known by many as “Lectern Guy” thanks to the viral image — gets locked up, he’s throwing himself a going away party on April Fool’s Day.

Or is he?

He at least wanted people to possibly think he was hosting an April 1 bash. Johnson even created a public Facebook event called “Adam’s going to prison” for the gathering at Caddy’s Bradenton. The event page has since been taken down or made private.

“Come help me celebrate my last Friday of freedom before I go to prison for the lamest charge in history,” Johnson wrote in the event description.

It was publicized by some media outlets, but the Facebook page under Johnson’s name that created the event didn’t respond to Patch for comments or clarification. He made a statement on Gab, an alternative social media site, though.

Posting on a Gab profile page called “LecternLeader," which his Facebook account directed people to, he wrote, “So I threw a public party on April Fools day for my incarceration and just like I thought, the media swallowed the whole story. Thank God we have journalists covering who is having parties these days.”

Related Story:

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• Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Riot: 76 Floridians Charged In Breach So Far
• Man In Viral U.S. Capitol Riot Photo Released On Bail: Report
• Parrish Man Identified In Viral U.S. Capitol Photo, Arrested

Johnson continued, “Well I was hoping to keep this going a little bit longer. It’s both sad and hilarious that the news covered this and internet warriors got so triggered about me seeing my family and loved ones before I leave. I made a public event on April Fools day and it went nationwide. Did no one catch that? Did you read beyond the headline? There is no party. Well at least not a public one.”

In a Facebook post, Caddy’s said some of its staff members have been harassed over the event, which the restaurant didn’t know about.

“Caddy’s Bradenton is a family-friendly waterfront restaurant that had no knowledge of a ‘Going to Prison’ event being planned at its location. This event was never discussed or planned with anyone associated with the Caddy’s brand,” the waterfront eatery posted.

Caddy’s added, “The first time Caddy’s had heard of this ‘Event’ is after reading it…in multiple media outlets. These false reports have led to multiple staff being abused, receiving threatening emails, and negative social media comments.”

Johnson chided people for their treatment of the restaurant.

“Caddy’s had no part in this and I do not blame them for kneeling to the mob. Everyone there has been courteous and professional about the entire ordeal,” he wrote.

He added, “Let this be a lesson to everyone. Cancel culture is real and the media is stoking the flames. Hopefully none of you are charged with anything so egregious as misdemeanor trespassing."

One of the most recognizable faces of the Capitol breach, Johnson was photographed smiling and waving as he carried Pelosi's lectern during the storming of the U.S. Capitol in support of former President Donald Trump. He set the lectern down in the Capitol Rotunda during the riot and pretended to give speeches from it. The lectern was later found in the Red corridor of the Capitol's Senate wing.

He was handed prison time at the end of February, though he’ll get some credit for the weekend he spent in jail after his arrest. He’ll also have to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service.

After the riot, Johnson bragged that his viral image "broke the internet" and that he was "finally famous," prosecutors said. They argued that his actions at the Capitol "illustrate his sense of entitlement and privilege.”

Johnson pleaded guilty in November to entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds and told the court that he is thinking about writing a book about his experiences during the riot. According to his plea deal, he's required to give up any compensation from any book, script, song, interview or other similar work for up to five years.

In court during his sentencing, he said that he's "ashamed" of his actions during the U.S. Capitol breach, calling it "a very stupid idea.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.