Two men have been sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Nicholas Ochs, founder of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys, and Nicholas DeCarlo, from Fort Worth, Texas, were each sentenced to four years in prison for obstruction of an official proceeding. The actions of Ochs, an Elder within the Proud Boys, and DeCarlo disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress and included throwing smoke bombs at the police line, illegally entering the Capitol, and vandalizing a door with the words “Murder the Media.” Alongside the prison terms, Ochs has been ordered to pay fines and restitution, while DeCarlo has also been fined. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
Background
The events that occurred during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, have had far-reaching consequences. Two individuals, Nicholas Ochs and Nicholas DeCarlo, have been sentenced to prison terms for their actions during this breach. Ochs, the founder of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys, and DeCarlo both pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and were sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release.
Actions of the Defendants
According to court documents, Nicholas Ochs was not only the founder of the Hawaii chapter of the Proud Boys but also held the position of “Elder” within the organization. As an Elder, Ochs had a senior leadership role, including the approval of new chapters. On January 5, 2021, Ochs traveled from Honolulu to Washington, D.C., along with Nicholas DeCarlo, who had come from Texas. Together, they attended a rally at the Ellipse on January 6 and subsequently marched to the Capitol.
The Proud Boys
The Proud Boys describe themselves as a “pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world.” Their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol have raised concerns and drawn attention to the role they played in this event. The presence of Ochs, a prominent member of the Proud Boys, highlights the involvement of this organization in the events of that day.
Travel to Washington, D.C.
Ochs and DeCarlo arrived in Washington, D.C. on January 5, 2021, the day before the breach of the U.S. Capitol. They stayed at a hotel in Virginia and attended a rally at the Ellipse on January 6, joining other individuals who were illegally on the Capitol grounds.
Illegal Entry and Actions at the Capitol
Once they arrived at the Capitol, Ochs and DeCarlo threw smoke bombs at a police line and climbed the stairs at the Upper West Terrace. At approximately 2:23 p.m., they illegally entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Doors, proceeding through various areas of the building, including the Crypt, Capitol Visitor’s Center, East Foyer, Statuary Hall, and Rotunda. They exited the Capitol at 3 p.m. near the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door, where DeCarlo wrote the words “Murder the Media” with a marker. Ochs recorded this action, as it was the name of their social media channel. They also rummaged through a U.S. Capitol Police duffel bag before leaving the area.
Writing on the Capitol Door
DeCarlo’s act of writing “Murder the Media” on the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door to the Capitol reflects the extreme nature of their actions. This act, captured on video and shared on their social media channel, further adds to the evidence of their involvement in the events at the Capitol that day.
Statements recorded by Ochs
As they walked away from the Capitol, with the building visible behind them, Ochs can be heard saying, “sorry we couldn’t go live when we stormed the f—-in’ U.S. Capitol and made Congress flee.” These statements provide further confirmation of their intent and the impact of their actions.
Sentencing
Both Nicholas Ochs and Nicholas DeCarlo pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding. As a result, they were sentenced to 48 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. In addition to their prison terms, Ochs was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, $2,000 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment, while DeCarlo was ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, $2,000 in restitution, and a $100 special assessment.
Prosecution and Investigation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are responsible for prosecuting the case against Ochs and DeCarlo. They received valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Texas and the District of Hawaii.
The investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, has been conducted by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, along with support from the Fort Worth Resident Agency of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office. The Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police have also provided valuable assistance throughout the investigation.
Scope of the Investigation
Since January 6, 2021, approximately 900 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. This includes over 280 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation into these events remains ongoing as law enforcement authorities continue to pursue leads and gather evidence.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Nicholas Ochs and Nicholas DeCarlo reflects the commitment to justice and the determination to hold individuals accountable for their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, along with its partner agencies, will continue to work diligently to bring those responsible to justice.
Efforts are also being made to support the victims affected by the events of January 6, 2021. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with other agencies, is offering assistance to ensure that victims receive the support and resources they need during this challenging time.
Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to reduce gun crime and promote public safety. The events at the U.S. Capitol have highlighted the need for increased efforts to prevent and address gun-related offenses, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to this important work.
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