Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 39
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- 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; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Tampering with Documents of Proceedings
- Case status
- Pleaded not guilty; Convicted; Acquitted in part or full; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Michael Greene was named an "Operations Leader" for the far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers, according to federal prosecutors. He allegedly uses the moniker "whip" and "whiplash." Along with the leader of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, Greene allegedly made plans to bring firearms and ammunition to an area of Virginia just outside Washington, D.C., in preparation for the events that day. Prosecutors allege that the Oath Keepers had planned a "Quick Reaction Force," based outside of D.C., which had access to extensive firearms and ammunition. Greene, court documents state, entered Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 and texted an acquaintance just before the first breach of the building: "Storming the capital [sic]." Prosecutors do not allege that Greene entered the Capitol building, but state that he communicated and coordinated closely with Rhodes and other members of the Oath Keepers during the attack. "The [sic] have taken ground at the capital[.] We need to regroup any members who are not on mission,” Greene allegedly messaged other members of the Oath Keepers around 2:14 p.m., shortly after the first breach of the building. At 3:05 p.m., Greene allegedly messaged an acquantance, "Were [sic] storming the Capitol," and "Congress evacuated." Greene was arrested on June 23, 2022. According to a sentencing memorandum filed by the defendant in federal court, Greene served in the U.S. military.
Case History
Greene pleaded Not Guilty to all charges. Found Guilty on one charge: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. Found Not Guilty on three charges; and a hung jury was declared on one charge: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding. That charge was dismissed. Sentenced on 7/21/2023 to 24 months probation; 60 hours of community service; $25 special assessment. Greene 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.