A member of the Florida Proud Boys organization faked an opioid drug overdose to delay his sentencing for crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Justice revealed this week.
In a supplemental sentencing memo filed on Tuesday, the federal government explained how Christopher Worrell fled after being convicted of seven felonies, including the assault of officers with a dangerous weapon and obstructing Congress.
"The defendant, Christopher Worrell, fled supervision prior to sentencing, triggering a manhunt," the filing explained. "He apparently had no intention of ever turning himself in."
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"Worrell was recaptured, however, when he attempted to covertly return to his residence," the filing continued. "Worrell then faked a drug overdose prior to his arrest, and maintained that lie during a five-day hospital stay, wasting the time and money of both medical staff and the Collier County Sheriff's Office, which provided deputies to watch Worrell 24/7 in a non-secure hospital location and was left to foot the bill for Worrell's unnecessary medical care."
Evidence provided by prosecutors suggested Worrell admitted to faking the overdose. The Proud Boy member was also accused of removing his GPS ankle monitor in a Walmart parking lot.
In the filing, the government asked the court to increase Worrell's sentence.
"The government recommends that this Court increase Worrell's sentence to account for his absconding prior to sentencing and his faked overdose upon arrest," the document concluded.
Prosecutors previously asked U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, to sentence Worrell to 168 months in prison. He could face a maximum of 20 years.
