Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 52
- Location
- Thomasville, North Carolina
- Charges
- Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; Conspiracy to Prevent an Officer from Discharging Any Duties; Destruction of Government Property and Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Civil Disorder and Aiding and Abetting; Tampering with Documents or Proceedings and Aiding and Abetting
- Case status
- Pleaded not guilty; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Laura Steele allegedly traveled to Washington, D.C., with her brother, where they eventually met up with several other individuals affiliated with the far-right Oath Keepers militia. According to court documents, the group was involved in trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics in advance of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and also used social media and apps to recruit individuals. Federal prosecutors say they brought paramilitary gear to Washington, changed into tactical uniforms featuring the Oath Keepers insignia and moved together in a military-style “stack” formation toward the Capitol, where they pushed past at least one officer, entered the Capitol rotunda and communicated using a walkie-talkie-like app. According to the FBI, Steele emailed a membership application to the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers just a few days before the Capitol attack. "My brother, Graydon Young told me to send the application to you so I can be verified for the Events this coming Tuesday and Wednesday," she allegedly wrote in the email. Steele was formerly a policer officer with the High Point Police Department in High Point, N.C., the department confirmed to NPR.
Case History
Steele pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. Jury trial verdict on 3/20/2023 finds Steele Guilty on all counts. Sentenced on 9/15/2023 to twelve months and one day of incarceration; 36 months of supervised release; home detention for the first six months of supervision; special assessment of $625; 100 hours of community service. Steele 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.