Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 32
- Location
- Hopewell Junction, New York
- Charges
- Civil Disorder
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full
Case Summary
Prosecutors allege that Christopher Finney recited the motto of the far-right extremist group known as the Proud Boys in a video he recorded while attending a pro-Trump rally in November 2020. Two days before the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Finney allegedly bought zip ties and goggles using his girlfriend's credit card. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Finney allegedly wore body armor and goggles, and recorded a video in which he said, "We’re gonna storm the Capitol. They’re not gonna keep us outta there. We’re gonna make sure that this is done correct and that Donald Trump is still our president.” Finney joined the pro-Trump mob as they overran police lines protecting the U.S. Capitol, court documents state, and then entered the building. Photographs of Finney show him carrying a holster for a knife, prosecutors say. Later, after exiting the building, Finney allegedly assisted other rioters pushing against police in a tunnel on the west side of the Capitol building, the site of some of the most intense violence that day. According to court documents, a New York State Police Trooper arrested Finney for allegedly driving a motorcyle while intoxicated in 2022. Finney was arrested to face charges in connection with the Capitol riot on Feb. 8, 2024, in Hopewell Junction, NY.
Case History
Finney pleaded Guilty to the single charge. Sentencing set for 1/24/2025. On 1/22/2025, the court grants the government’s motion to dismiss the case with prejudice.
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.