A member of the Proud Boys and a Three Percenter will spend the next two-and-a-half years in prison for clashing with police and storming the U.S. Capitol during the infamous January 6 riot. Jeffrey David Reed, 49, from Texas, won’t just serve prison time—he’ll also face two years of probation and pay a $2,000 fine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Reed’s troubles began when he was found guilty in a bench trial by U.S. District Chief Judge James E. Boasberg. He was convicted of a felony charge of civil disorder and several misdemeanors, including entering restricted government areas, causing disruptions, and joining protests inside the Capitol building.
At the time of the Capitol riot, Reed lived in upstate New York and was part of the Proud Boys’ Hudson Valley chapter. Just a day before the chaos unfolded, Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, added Reed to a group chat called “Boots on the Ground.” This group included members who had gathered in Washington, D.C., for then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally.
Reed’s messages in the group chat showed his eagerness for direction. Frustrated, he wrote, “This is so unorganized! Where is our order?” and “No f—ing support so far.” When another leader, Joseph Biggs, told the group they would not plan anything on January 5, Reed seemed to focus his energy on January 6. That morning, the group met at the Washington Monument to finalize their plans.
During the riot, Reed was right on the frontlines, equipped with a radio. Prosecutors say he helped push metal bike racks out of the way, clearing paths for the mob to move forward and forcing Capitol police officers to retreat multiple times. In one intense moment, Reed got into a physical struggle with an officer over a bike rack. Prosecutors said he violently pulled it from the officer’s grip, causing the officer to fall.
Amid the chaos, Reed shouted at police, “You work for us!” and called them “f—ing oathbreakers.” After breaking through the barricades, he entered the Capitol building around 2:26 p.m., strolling through the Rotunda and nearby areas, even passing the Speaker’s Lobby. Lawmakers were just on the other side, trying to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win while also evacuating from the escalating danger. Reed lingered in the building for about 23 minutes before police forced him and others out.
But Reed didn’t stop there. He stayed on the Capitol steps, tearing up a “Blue Lives Matter” flag as others cheered him on. Even after that, he hung around the Capitol grounds for at least another hour.
Reed’s legal troubles began when a federal grand jury indicted him in July 2023. He was later convicted on all charges. Prosecutors described his behavior on January 6 as aggressive and relentless, noting that he refused to back down no matter what obstacles he faced.
In his defense, Reed expressed regret for his actions, claiming he wouldn’t have attended the rally if he had known it would turn violent. He also said he had left the Proud Boys, though he still has a 3 Percenters tattoo on his hand. His lawyer pointed to personal struggles, including his teenage son’s severe autism. The lawyer explained that Reed’s search for answers about his son’s condition led him into online communities filled with conspiracy theories and extremist beliefs.
“Jeffrey Reed was just a father looking for answers,” his lawyer said. “Unfortunately, he ended up going down the wrong path, drawn in by fringe ideas and misinformation.”
Now, Reed faces the consequences of his actions, serving time for his role in one of the most turbulent days in U.S. history.
