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Ohio pastor found guilty for actions during Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot

WIlliam Dunfee, a pastor from Frazeysburg, Ohio, speaks on a bullhorn at the riot on Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Department of Justice
WIlliam Dunfee, a pastor from Frazeysburg, Ohio, speaks on a bullhorn at the riot on Jan. 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol.

An Ohio pastor was found guilty of several felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection that happened at the U.S. Capitol.

William Dunfee, 57, was found guilty Monday in U.S. District Court on two felony charges and a misdemeanor charge for obstructing an official proceeding or aiding and abetting a civil disorder and for entering restricted grounds. Dunfee is one of over 1,000 people and 64 Ohioans charged for taking part in the riot.

U.S. attorneys said Dunfee, of Frazeysburg in Muskingum County, pushed barricades against Capitol police during the riot.

Dunfee never entered the Capitol, but did linger outside while hundreds of Donald Trump's supporters entered in an attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 election.

Attorneys said Dunfee riled up the crowds with a bullhorn telling people the election was stolen and people should rise up.

Prosecutors say Dunfee encouraged his congregants on social media to go to D.C. to give the government and other groups a reason to fear them.

Dunfee is scheduled to be sentenced in May.

George Shillcock is a reporter for 89.7 NPR News. He joined the WOSU newsroom in April 2023 following three years as a reporter in Iowa with the USA Today Network.