Lawyer says SWFL Capitol riot suspect went at request of Donald Trump

A Southwest Florida man who faces federal charges for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot denied any wrongdoing or criminal activity.

The FBI identified suspect Christopher Worrell in photos from Jan. 6, and now there is evidence against him.

Investigators say Worrell is a member of the Proud Boys group. He was captured in a photo wearing tactical riot gear at the Capitol during the day of the riot. Investigators also say the Collier County man used pepper spray toward a line of officers protecting the Capitol Building.

Worrell’s attorney told us Worrell went to Washington at the request of former President Donald Trump and not to disturb the counting of the vote. He added, without his urging to go to the Capitol, Worrell wouldn’t have been there.

Worrell’s girlfriend told investigators he drove to Washington D.C. in vans with other Proud Boys members. When we reached out, she did not want to comment about why he was at the Capitol.

Neighbors in Collier County remember the day he was picked up by the FBI, and some feel uneasy with investigators revealing new evidence about the man who lives just down the street from them.

”Yeah, that’s him,” Liz Groff said. “I literally talked to him two weeks ago”

It’ was an eerie sight for Groff and other neighbors who woke up to FBI investigators arresting Worrell last Friday.

“They said, ‘This is the FBI; we’re coming in,’ and there was a boom,” Groff recalled. “But tankers? Tanker’s a little much? I only met the guy one time, and he seemed really nice.”

Court documents show Worrell was interviewed on Jan. 18, but he denied entering the Capitol.

The FBI searched his home and found a canister and several maps of Washington D.C.

It’s enough evidence Rich Kolko, WINK News Safety and Security Specialist, says could link Worrell to the riots.

“What it shows is premeditation,” Kolko said. “This person came in here prepared to potentially do harm to law enforcement, members of the Congress or other people on site at the Capitol.”

Inside his home, the FBI also found shirts, patches and Proud Boys logos.

“This person had been to Washington before in December,” Kolko said. “They had made plans to attend in January. They had done a reconnaissance of the area and then was prepared with a vest, had pepper spray.”

Investigators say pictures showing Worrell’s facial hair and a scar on his neck helped catch him.

Worrell remains in jail. Once he bonds out, he will have to be on home detention.