In a breakthrough among high-level prosecutions of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a member of the Proud Boys became the first member of the group to plead guilty and agree to help the investigation. Matthew Greene, 34, is a member of the New York chapter of the far-right extremist organization. His attorney, Michael Kasmarek, says that Greene attended meetings only from November 2020 to January 2021. From jail, Greene would disavowed his brief membership. “The defendant has concluded that his personal beliefs and ethics do not align with those of the Proud Boys,” Kasmarek wrote. in a motion to secure pretrial release. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly denied the motion, reports Courthouse News Service..
Greene's indictment says he was one of the first people to trample down police barriers, later telling an associate via encrypted message. “I'm good," he wrote, "we took the capital.” He also helped to coordinate travel, lodging, communication supplies and clothing with other Proud Boys. On Wednesday, Kasmarek emphasized Greene's lack of criminal history and that there is no evidence Greene ever entered the Capitol building or destroyed any property. Kasmarek also credited Greene for stopping to help a fellow rioter whom police shot in the face with a pepper-ball projectile. Greene pleaded guilty to two felony charges, conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding. He will be sentenced March 10.