California man becomes next to plead guilty to Capitol riot charge

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - A California man who stormed the U.S. Capitol, opened the doors to other rioters and sat in the senate chair of then-Vice President Mike Pence pleaded guilty to a federal charge Thursday.

Christian Secor, 23, of Costa Mesa, entered the plea in a Washington court to obstructing an official proceeding.

In return for his plea, federal prosecutors agreed to drop other charges, including assaulting a police officer.

Secor technically could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced in October.

However, sentencing guidelines call for 21 to 27 months in prison, or 53 to 61 months in prison if Secor is found to have caused injuries or property damage, according to the plea agreement.

More than 790 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the capitol riot. Nearly 300 of them have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors. Over 170 of them have been sentenced.