The FBI confirmed Monday that a nationwide search remains in effect for Christopher John Worrell, a Naples man and a member of the Proud Boys extremist group, who disappeared in August, days before his sentencing in the U.S. Capitol riot case, where prosecutors are seeking more than a decade in prison.
Additionally, the main legal representative for Worrell, Attorney William Lee Shipley, Jr.
of Kailua, Hawaii, appeared on a cable network news show Monday night and said he has not heard from his client since before he vanished. Shipley also said he didn't know if there was an active search for Worrell.
"We are still actively searching for Christopher Worrell," Andrea Aprea, from the FBI Tampa- Public Affairs office, confirmed Monday. "We appreciate the public’s attention to this case and continue to encourage those with information to come forward."
Worrell was found guilty in May of multiple charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach. A member of the 'Proud Boys' extremist group, Worrell disappeared days before his sentencing in the case, according to a warrant made public.
His sentencing was cancelled and will be rescheduled while federal authorities are looking for him.
Worrell was found guilty of spraying pepper spray gel on police officers, as part of the mob storming the Capitol as Congress was certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory on Jan. 6, 2021. Prosecutors had asked a judge to sentence him to 14 years.
The sentencing was canceled and a bench warrant for his arrest issued under seal, according to court records. The U.S. attorney’s office for Washington D.C. encouraged the public to share any information about his whereabouts.
A wanted poster issued for Worrell said he is being sought for violating conditions of release pending sentencing on federal charges.
WGCU reached out to Trish Priller of Naples, who was appointed Worrell's guardian by the court and is described as his significant other, and to Shipley. Neither responded to queries.
However, Shipley did appear Monday night on Dan Abrams Live, on the NewsNation cable network, and spoke briefly about Worrell.
Shipley told Abrams that he did not know where his client was.
"No information other than the information that was communicated to me on the day that he went missing," Shipley told Abrams. "And Pretrial Services, who was monitoring the GPS, sent a local sheriff's for a welfare check and discovered that the monitor had been cut off and he was gone."
The attorney told Abrams that his last contact with Worrell — who had been living in the Naples area — was about a week before he vanished.
Abrams asked Shipley if, "as far as you know, are they out there actively looking for him?"
"No idea," the attorney responded.
The FBI said any tips can be called in to the FBI Tampa Field Office, 813-253-1000, or submitted to: tips.fbi.gov.
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