VA Proud Boys Member Pleads Guilty To Role In Jan. 6 Capitol Attack

WASHINGTON, DC — A Virginia man and member of the far-right extremist group Proud Boys pleaded guilty to a felony charge this week related to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

James Russell Davis, 47, of King George, pleaded guilty in District of Columbia federal court Thursday to one count of civil disorder, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12.

According to court documents, Davis, a self-proclaimed member of the Virginia Proud Boys chapter, traveled from his home to Washington, D.C., to attend former President Donald Trump's "Stop The Steal" rally on Jan. 6. Prosecutors said he stayed at a campground with other Proud Boys members the night before the rally and joined them in marching to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

According to court documents, around 2:35 p.m. on Jan. 6, Davis was near the front of a crowd of rioters who attempted to breach the defensive perimeter guarding the staircase to the Capitol's lower west terrace. Prosecutors said Davis pushed several officers while carrying a wooden stick in one hand and attempting to breach the police line.

During the confrontations, prosecutors said Davis repeatedly yelled in the officers’ faces that he was a military police officer and had fought for his country.

At one point during the attack, Davis approached a third officer before he experienced a medical issue and collapsed, prosecutors said. Court documents said Davis was pulled away from the police line by other rioters.

Later that day, Davis sent a long message via Telegram describing his conduct at the Capitol, which read in part:

“I did hit a few cops on the head with the BIG STICK, but unfortunately lost that beautiful weapon. We pushed forward and pushed the Capitol Police up their Emergency Staircase. I was moving forward up the stairs when someone fell and like dominoes, I ended up falling on the concrete, hitting my head which knocked me out … What I do finally remember about the Assault on the Capitol, I was on the front of the line, I kept pointing to my MARINE CORPS cover and patch saying I F------ FOUGHT IN IRAQ FOR AMERICA and FREEDOM; WHAT THE F--- ARE YOU DOING? LET US IN OUR CAPITOL! THIS IS OUR HOUSE!”

The charge of civil disorder carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

In the months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Nearly 350 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, authorities said.

The investigation remains ongoing.