Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 24
- Location
- Pendleton, Oregon
- Charges
- Conspiracy; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder and Aiding and Abetting; Destruction of Government Property and Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Federal prosecutors allege that Matthew Leland Klein is a member of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys and that he stormed the Capitol along with his brother, Jonathanpeter Klein, who is also a Proud Boys member. "Both have demonstrated a preparedness and willingness, if not eagerness, to engage in violence against those with whom they disagree, be it Black Lives Matters supporters or the United States government," prosecutors said in a court filing in the case against both Kleins. The Kleins came to the attention of law enforcement in the fall of 2020 when they attended Proud Boys rallies in Oregon. At that time, Portland police stopped a truck in which Matthew Klein was riding. Court records state that "officers recovered five paintball guns, five shields, including a black and yellow shield (i.e., consistent with Proud Boys colors) and a blue shield that displayed the words 'F*** BLM,' three baseball bats, and an axe handle in the bed of a truck." Matthew Klein was also allegedly found in possession of a loaded 9 mm handgun. A criminal case related to the gun is pending in Oregon. On Jan. 6, 2021, federal prosecutors allege Matthew and Jonathanpeter Klein joined with the mob and other members of the Proud Boys to breach the Capitol. After the initial breach, the men allegedly exited the building and then "joined together to wrench open a secure door on the Capitol’s north side," allowing more rioters to enter the building "as part of a second or third wave of attacks."
Case History
Klein pleaded Guilty to two charges: Civil Disorder and Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 11/14/2024 to 90 days incarceration; 36 months supervised release; $125 special assessment; $3,000 restitution. Klein 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
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.