Dutchess 32-Year-Old Guilty Of Felony During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY — A Dutchess County man pleaded guilty on October 18 to felony civil disorder during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress held to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Christopher Douglas Finney, of Hopewell Junction, will be sentenced on Jan. 24.

According to prosecutors, the 32-year-old Hudson Valley man traveled from his home in Hopewell Junction to attend a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021.

While near the Washington Monument, Finney recorded himself asking, "...what's the building where they're doing the counting at?" After someone off-camera replies, he said, "...we're going up to the Capitol, eventually. We're gonna storm the Capitol. They're not gonna keep us outta there. We're gonna make sure that this is done correct and that Donald Trump is still our president."

During the video, Finney can be seen wearing plastic goggles with a red border and a knife in a holster on his right hip. He also had on a protective plate carrier vest with pouches containing white plastic flex cuffs and a silver canister similar to a chemical spray container.

Before leaving the monument area, Finney announced, "We're gonna storm the Capitol. We're gonna do this correct. We're not gonna back down, stand down, we the people will not be silent anymore."

Finney then entered the restricted perimeter around Capitol grounds, headed for the West Lawn, and gestured for the crowd to follow him. He recorded his approach across the lawn and as he scaled a wall. Near the Capitol's West Front, Finney moved from the scaffolding at its southwest corner to covered scaffolding above the northwest steps. He then went up the steps, breached a police line leading to the Upper West Terrace Northwest Courtyard, and headed for the Senate Wing Doors, which he entered at 2:14 p.m.

Once inside, Finney turned north, encountered police officers, and quickly retreated, climbing out of a broken window. He then re-entered the building through the Senate Wing Doors, made his way through the Crypt and the OAP (Office of the Attending Physician) corridor, and eventually exited the Capitol through the Memorial Doors.

Finney later made his way to the Capitol's Lower West Terrace, where he joined other rioters, including several with makeshift weapons, outside of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day. At this location, rioters were struggling to forcibly breach a police line preventing the mob from accessing the Capitol's interior. One rioter yelled, "Push, push, push," and Finney then joined a crowd in a group push against the police line. The force from the group push reached officers in and behind the first line of police officers, while rioters at the front of the group made direct physical contact with officers at the front of the police line.

Finney stayed on the Lower West Terrace, watching and recording as other rioters violently attacked police officers defending the Lower West Terrace exit. He then remained within the Capitol's restricted perimeter until after dark.

The FBI arrested Finney on Feb. 8 of this year, in New York.

SEE ALSO: Dutchess County Man Accused Of Participating In Jan. 6 Riots: Feds

The 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. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's New York and Washington Field Offices. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Since Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,532 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 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 the FBI tips website.