A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered the release of a 24-year-old Oregonian awaiting trial on charges of participating in the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Matthew Leland Klein is set to be released from the custody of the U.S. Marshals in Portland on Friday. He’ll be on home monitoring and must comply with several conditions, including no access to firearms and no use of social media. His internet access is limited to work and educational purposes. He is also prohibited from consuming alcohol and drugs.
On March 19, a grand jury indicted Klein and his brother, Jonathanpeter Klein, on six charges, ranging from conspiracy to destruction of government property, entering a restricted building and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. The charging document alleges Jonathanpeter Klein is a self-described member of the Proud Boys, far-right hate group that often engages in violence at protests and played a central role in the insurrection.
This photo provided by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Jonathanpeter A. Klein, wearing a yellow long-sleeved shirt under a black T-shirt, while inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., according to the FBI.
U.S. Department of Justice
The brothers also participated in Proud Boy events in Oregon, according to photos included in the indictment and images gathered by OPB at protest events. Matthew Klein is currently facing misdemeanor charges in Multnomah County for possession of loaded firearms at a Sept. 26 Proud Boys rally in Portland.
On Dec. 29, the prosecutions says, the brothers purchased airline tickets using cash. The Kleins flew from Portland to Pennsylvania on Jan. 4, court documents state. The next day, they traveled to Washington, D.C.
Court documents spell out in detail how the brothers assisted other members of the crowd on Jan. 6 in climbing a wall to gain access to the upper west terrace of the Capitol. The Kleins then allegedly entered the building and celebrated with another member of the Proud Boys.
Jonathanpeter Klein remains in custody. Matthew Klein was ordered released to a third-party custodian, Donna Thibodeau, who resides in Baker County.
Two brothers from Oregon have been charged in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. Federal prosecutors have included text messages between Jonathanpeter Klein and his mother Nanci Klein the day after the attack.
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal prosecutors argued that Jeffrey and Nanci Klein, the brothers’ parents, were ill-suited to supervise their children on home detention because they appear to have been aware of their children’s acts at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, and encouraged them keep quite so they didn’t get caught.
“Remember braggers get caught,” a Jan. 7 text between a contact listed as “Mom” in Jonathanpeter Klein’s phone read, according to court documents. “I wouldn’t tell people you were in the capital.”
“Yep I only told proud boys,” Jonathanpeter Klein replied, according to prosecutors.
Later, Nanci Klein told her son to clear his phone.
“Pull a Hillary and use a hammer,” she said, in reference to conspiracy theories about the former U.S. secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. “And bleach.”
A Jan. 6 text found in Jonathanpeter’s phone from a contact listed as “Dad” also states that he should not talk publicly about going to the Capitol and wishes “safe travels.”
A hearing for Jonathanpeter Klein’s release is set for June 4.