Haddonfield 'Dating Coach' Who Stormed Capitol Found Guilty On 5 Counts

WASHINGTON, DC — A Haddonfield man and "relationship coach" was found guilty Friday for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol.

The jury found Patrick Stedman guilty of one felony and four misdemeanor counts. His felony conviction for obstruction of an official proceeding carries up to 20 years in prison.

Stedman, 35, rejected a plea deal in May that called for him to admit to felony obstruction in exchange for dismissal of the misdemeanor counts. Under the proposed deal, prosecutors would've recommended a prison term of 41-51 months.

His sentencing is set for Sept. 8.

Past coverage:

• Haddonfield 'Dating Strategist' Charged In Capitol Riots
• More Restrictions For Haddonfield Man Charged In Capitol Riot

The man entered the Capitol building for more than 40 minutes with rioters who sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favor. He detailed his travel to Washington, D.C., in a series of Twitter posts and videos he recorded inside and outside the Capitol.

In one early-morning post on Jan. 6, Stedman said "This is the Second American Revolution. I love you all for being here with me. NOW WE FIGHT!" After he entered the building, he wrote "we have stormed the capitol."

Along with the felony, the jury also returned guilty verdicts for Stedman on four misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing inside a Capitol building.

The Capitol riots stemmed from then-President Donald Trump lying that he won the presidential election over Joe Biden. Despite Trump calling for his supporters to march to the Capitol as Congress voted to certify Biden's election, Stedman cast doubt Friday on how the Jan. 6 events unfolded.

"The question is simply who created that chaos," tweeted Stedman, who has sizable Twitter following as a "Dating + Relationship Coach." "Who gave the orders to antagonize the crowd? How did it all start, and why? I pray that we get the answer to that soon."

Several New Jersey residents have been criminally sentenced for actions stemming from the riot, while other cases remain ongoing. Federal authorities expect trials to continue this year and perhaps into 2024.