Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 20
- Location
- Cary, North Carolina
- Charges
- Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Entering and Remaining on the Floor of Congress; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded not guilty; Convicted; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Christopher Carnell first came to the attention of the FBI, when the bureau searched the phone records of Aiden Bilyard, who is also charged in relation to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6., 2021. Those phone records allegedly included a text message chain between four friends about attending both the “Million MAGA March” on Nov. 20, 2020, and the “Stop the Steal Rally” on Jan. 6. In late December 2020, Carnell allegedly sent a message to the group that read: "January 6th is going to be HISTORIC. It’s the day We the People will take to the steps of our nation’s Capitol and demand they represent us!" On the day of the Capitol riot, Carnell can allegedly be seen on surveillance footage entering the Senate floor and looking through documents on senators’ desks while wearing a backpack with his last name spelled out on the back. Court records allege that Carnell texted the group chat that afternoon: “We’re safe heading home."
Case History
Carnell pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. Found Guilty on all charges in a Stipulated Bench trial on 2/12/2024. On 10/7/2024, the court vacated the Obstruction conviction. Sentenced on 12/13/2024 to 6 Months Incarceration; 12 Months Of Supervised Release (With Conditions); Fine Of $2,500; Restitution of $500; Special Assessment oF $80. Carnell received a full pardon on January 20, 2025
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR - Supporting Reporting
NPR video evidence pageNPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.