Rally Runner pleads guilty to charge in connection to January 6 riot at US Capital

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A Cardinals fan named Rally Runner pleaded guilty Friday to a felony offense related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capital.

Rally Runner, formerly known as Daniel Donnelly Jr., 43, pleaded guilty to felony civil disorder in the District of Columbia. His sentencing is set for July 30.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, Runner attended former President Donald Trump’s rally at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021, and after the rally, went to the U.S. Capital building. There, prosecutors said he went to the Lower West Terrace Tunnel while wearing a red “Keep America Great” hat and distinctive red face paint.

The location of the most violence that day was at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Runner faced off with law enforcement and could be seen holding a stolen riot shield and forming a wall of shields with other rioters. He used his shield to push against officers until the officers were forced into the Capitol building, prosecutors said.

Later that day, prosecutors said Runner posted a video on Facebook where he admitted to being at the U.S. Capital.

“I took up a lot of space, and I had the rioter shield, and I was right up there, and for some reason, like, the other people up there on the front lines with me, they did something similar... It’s like they followed my lead, kind of,” prosecutors said he said in the live stream.

Donnelly was arrested by the FBI on Aug. 2, 2023.

Anyone with tips related to the January 6 riot is asked to call 800-225-5324 or visit the tips page on the FBI website.