CLINTON – Christopher Patrick Moynihan, a pardoned participant in the January 6 Capitol riot, has avoided jail time after pleading guilty to harassing House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. The 35-year-old was charged in October for making felony terroristic threats against Jeffries, including a remark about the intention to “eliminate” the Brooklyn congressman during a public event in New York City. Moynihan accepted a plea deal this week that downgraded the charges to aggravated harassment, a misdemeanor, according to Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi.
As part of the plea agreement, Moynihan will serve three years on probation. His arrest followed an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which identified an October 17 call made by him, acknowledging the original threats he had made against Jeffries.
Parisi expressed support for the plea deal, emphasizing the serious nature of threats aimed at elected officials. “Words intended to intimidate or terrorize can have real-world consequences,” he stated, highlighting that such threats represent criminal actions that jeopardize public safety and undermine the democratic process.
Moynihan is a resident of Salt Point and is one of many individuals from the Hudson Valley area charged in connection with the January 6 insurrection. In earlier incidents, he was recorded taking photographs of congressional documents inside the Capitol and expressing intentions to use them against lawmakers.
Previously convicted on multiple charges related to the Capitol breach, Moynihan received a 21-month prison sentence but was pardoned by former President Trump shortly after taking office. Following this recent plea, Jeffries has expressed appreciation for law enforcement’s quick action in arresting Moynihan, characterizing him as a “dangerous individual” who made credible threats against his life.
A sentencing date is set for April 2, with the prosecution having already reached an agreement on Moynihan’s sentence, which will involve no jail time but the stipulation of probation. While the plea deal has raised concerns, it signifies a formal recognition of the serious nature of threats against public officials and the ongoing repercussions of actions taken during the January 6 events.