Pardoned January 6 Rioter Accused Of Threatening To Kill House Minority Leader

TOWN OF CLINTON, NY — A Hudson Valley man who avoided the consequences of his high-profile actions during the riot at the U.S. Capitol, has again been arrested — this time, accused of threatening to kill the U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader.

Authorities did not initially specify which congress member was at the receiving end of those threats, but NY Rep. Hakeem Jeffries released a statement thanking law enforcement for acting quickly after what he described as a credible threat.

SEE ALSO:

• Felony Arrest Made After U.S. Congress Member's Life Was Threatened: FBI, NYSP
• Dutchess County Man Sentenced In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
• Hudson Valley Man Found Guilty In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
• Man Who Took Photos On Senate Floor Jan. 6 Arrested: Feds

"I am grateful to state and federal law enforcement for their swift and decisive action to apprehend a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat against me with every intention to carry it out," Jeffries said. "The person arrested, along with thousands of violent felons who stormed the US Capitol during the January 6th attack, was pardoned by Donald Trump on the President's very first day in office. Since the blanket pardon that occurred earlier this year, many of the criminals released have committed additional crimes throughout the country. Unfortunately, our brave men and women in law enforcement are being forced to spend their time keeping our communities safe from these violent individuals who should never have been pardoned."

While the high-ranking Democrat took the threat to his life seriously, he remained defiant in the face of the threat of violence.

"It is the honor of my life to serve in Congress during these challenging times," Jeffries said. "Threats of violence will not stop us from showing up, standing up and speaking up for the American people."

New York State Police say their Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Poughkeepsie, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI-JTTF), arrested 34-year-old Christopher Moynihan, of Clinton, for the felony of making a terroristic threat.

State police say they were notified by the FBI-JTFF, on Saturday, that Moynihan had made threats to kill a member of Congress.

After the multi-agency investigation, Moynihan was arrested and arraigned before the Town of Clinton Court, according to NYSP.

Before being pardoned Moynihan was found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

He also pleaded guilty to a total of five related misdemeanor charges.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Moynihan was among rioters who broke through the security perimeter on the east side of the Capitol Building. He joined rioters outside the Rotunda Door, and around 2:40 p.m., he entered the building, as did others.

Around 2:45 p.m., he briefly entered the Senate Gallery, and several minutes later, he entered the Senate Chamber.

While there, Moynihan paged through a notebook on top of a senator's desk, taking out papers and taking photos with his cell phone. While looking through the papers, he said, "There’s gotta be something in here we can f---- use against these ----bags."

He then walked down to the well of the Senate and stood next to an elevated desk and platform. He stood with a group of rioters who shouted, cheered and said prayers with a bullhorn.

A few minutes after 3 p.m., law enforcement officers cleared the Senate Chamber and Moynihan was escorted out of the Capitol Building.