TOWN OF CLINTON – Christopher Moynihan, 35, arrested on October 18, by the State Police for threatening to kill US House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), pleaded guilty in court Thursday afternoon to misdemeanor aggravated harassment after originally being charged with the felony of making a terroristic threat.
Moynihan was one of the participants in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol. He was convicted of obstruction of a governmental proceeding and pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges that were related to his actions during the insurrection. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison in 2023. He was pardoned by President Trump when he returned to the White House.
Moynihan is believed to be a resident of the Town of Clinton (Dutchess County) at the border with Pleasant Valley.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “Threats against elected officials are not political speech; they are criminal acts that strike at the heart of public safety and our democratic system.” My office treats these cases with the utmost seriousness because words intended to intimidate or terrorize can have real-world consequences. After a careful and thorough review of the law and the evidence, and in close coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the FBI, the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., and the New York City Police Department, we were able to reach a disposition that ensures accountability and public safety.” Parisi also said, “I want to thank Congressman Jeffries for his cooperation throughout this matter, as well as our law enforcement partners’ collective and tireless efforts in bringing this matter to a responsible conclusion.”
When Moynihan was arrested, Minority Leader Jeffries said in part, “I am grateful to state and federal law enforcement for their swift and decisive action to apprehend a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat against me with every intention to carry it out.”
Sentencing before Clinton Town Justice James Brands is set for April 2, 2026. The DA’s Office and the defendant have agreed on a sentence of three years of supervision by the Dutchess County Probation Department.