Klein brothers plead guilty for role in 2021 riot at U.S. Capitol
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two brothers pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from their conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Jonathanpeter Allen Klein, 24, of Pendleton pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of civil disorder and one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
Matthew Leland Klein, 27, formerly of Pendleton, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
The two men will be sentenced on Nov. 15, 2024.
According to court documents, the brothers traveled from Portland to Washington, D.C. to attend the “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021. After attending the rally, the brothers made their way toward the U.S. Capitol building, entered the restricted perimeter, then separated.
After exiting the building, the two men reunited and joined a group of other rioters struggling against police to open the North Door of the Capitol. Through their combined efforts, the rioters, including both of the Kleins, were able to force the door open. Immediately after breaching the North Door, Matthew positioned himself in front of the North Door to obstruct police officers who were emerging from the building to disperse the rioters. Matthew also used his flag to interfere with the officers who were attempting to secure the door.
The FBI arrested the two men on March 23, 2021, in Oregon.
Photo of Matthew Klein (left) and Jonathanpeter Klein (right) via US Marshals
