Oregon Proud Boy and His Brother Charged Over January 6 Capitol Riot
Two brothers from Oregon, one of whom is a self-identified Proud Boy, have been charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Matthew Klein, 24, and Jonathanpeter Klein, 21, face a number of charges including conspiracy, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and disorderly conduct in a restricted building or grounds in connection to the attack in Washington, D.C.
According to a criminal indictment, younger brother Jonathanpeter Klein is a Proud Boy who attended the pro-Donald Trump rally one day before the insurrection dressed in the far-right group's attire and previously took part in Proud Boys rallies in Oregon.
Matthew Klein is also said to have attended two other violent Proud Boys demonstrations with his brother last September.
The pair are accused of storming the Capitol grounds on January 6. Jonathanpeter Klein is said to have entered the Capitol building through a door on the northwest side of the Capitol.
Once inside the younger brother gave a "celebratory exchange" with another Proud Boys member, greeting him with the words "proud of your f*****g boy."
While roaming the Capitol building, Matthew Klein is alleged to have put on a pair of protective goggles and advanced on police officers trying to disperse the crowd while carrying a yellow "don't tread on me" Gadsden flag fixed to a pole. Officers then sprayed what appeared to be pepper spray in Matthew Klein's face, the indictment says.
He is also alleged to have helped others in scaling a wall to gain access to a stairwell leading to the Capitol's Upper West Terrace during the riot.
"The defendants' actions created a dangerous scenario that directly interfered with law enforcement's efforts to secure the building," the indictment said.
"That they did so as part of a second or third wave of attacks—with knowledge of the mayhem that had already unfolded at the Capitol—shows their reckless disregard for others and the danger posed by these two actors."
One day before the attack, Matthew Klein was photographed next to his brother carrying a "uniquely worn and frayed" Gadsden flag which he also allegedly took inside the Capitol.
To his right, Jonathanpeter Klein is photographed wearing a black and yellow Proud Boys hat and T-shirt while flashing an "OK" hand gesture, a previously innocuous symbol that has been co-opted by some on the far-right as a coded message to show support for white supremacy. The criminal complaint against the brothers said the OK hand gesture is associated with the Proud Boys.
The indictment also includes photos of the brothers attending a September 7, 2020, rally outside the Oregon Capitol in Salem in which far-right extremists clashed with Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters.
Photos show Jonathanpeter Klein shooting a paintball gun at an unknown target and chasing a fleeing Black Lives Matter protester, who was ultimately assaulted by another person.
Matthew Klein is also facing weapons charges following a traffic stop which took place following another Proud Boys rally in Portland on September 26.
Portland Police pulled over Klein, who was traveling with three other males in his truck, following the violent rally. Officers found the men in possession of five paintball guns, six protective shields, three baseball bats, an ax handle and a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun, which Matthew Klein admitted was his.
As a result of the traffic stop, Matthew Klein received misdemeanor citations for two counts of unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public and unlawful possession of firearms, which are still pending.
