Morris Co. 'Proud Boy' Bragged About Role In Capitol Riot: DOJ

ROCKAWAY, NJ — A Rockaway man and Proud Boy member who claimed he "led the storm" on Jan. 6 now faces charges for his role in the insurrection at the Capitol, authorities announced Tuesday. Shawn Price held a leadership position in the far-right group's North Jersey chapter from November to January, according to court documents.

Price, 26, attended multiple events and rallies with the self-described group of "Western Chauvinists" during that time. He self-identified as a member of the Proud Boys.

Photographs show Price in the lower west terrace, helping push others forward into a line of officers, who resisted and tried dispersing the crowd, according to the Department of Justice.

Price was charged with disorderly conduct on Capital grounds, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and obstruction of justice. He made his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon in the District of New Jersey.

A federal judge ordered him released on a $100,000 unsecured appearance bond. He will get monitored with an ankle device and must adhere to a curfew a pretrial services supervisor sets.

Harley Breite, Price's attorney, said his client is not a "danger" to the public.

"My client, like every American, is innocent until proven guilty, as is required under the United State Constitution," Breite told Patch. I would urge people to remember this as one of the foundations of our country’s principles. Clearly, my client is of no danger to anyone, as the FBI waited six (sic) months to arrest him. "

The DOJ says Price sent Facebook messages Jan. 6 that stated the following: “I led the storm!”, “[I] got really f***** up but me and 4 of my chapter brothers pushed that line and started it ourselves had to be done.”

Price was involved in a violent robbery in Hopatcong in 2013, according to the Department of Justice. He was sentenced to probation in 2015 for terrorizing two people, documents say. He previously lived in Hopatcong.

On Jan. 2, he brought goggles, milk and other substances used to neutralize the effects of pepper spray and chemical irritants to Washington, D.C., according to the DOJ. Three days later, he sent his mother a message that he was "going to dc to have fun," according to court documents.

The Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI’s Washington and Newark offices are investigating the case.

Briete also represents Scott Fairlamb, of Stockholm, and James Breheny, of Little Ferry. Both face charges relating to the Jan. 6 riot. Read more: NJ Gym Owner Charged In Capitol Riot To Remain Jailed

"The concept of obstruction is being applied with the widest breadth and scope," Breite said, "raising serious concerns as to the far-reaching implications of such interpretation of the statute."

About 465 people have been arrested on charges relating to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, which occurred while Congress attempted to certify results for the 2020 presidential election.

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