WASHINGTON — A Cardinals super fan known as “Rally Runner” pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol.
Daniel Donnelly Jr., of St. Louis, gained widespread recognition about a decade ago for painting his face and jogging around Busch Stadium, which he claimed “strengthened the spirit for the Cardinals.”
Donelly was arrested in August on a felony charge of civil disorder and several misdemeanor offenses for storming the U.S. Capitol in protest of former President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election.
According to federal sentencing guidelines, Donnelly may serve a sentence of 24 to 30 months in prison and pay a fine up to $40,000.
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Donnelly wore his trademark red face paint and a “Keep America Great” hat to the Capitol as he held a riot shield and led thousands of protestors toward the building, according to charging documents.
Donnelly posted a 26-minute video on Facebook in which he admitted to being at the Capitol.
“I got further than anyone,” he said, according to court documents. “I literally got further than anyone. I helped us get that far.”
Donnelly legally changed his name to “Rally Runner” in 2016, but he was charged under the name Donnelly.
Donnelly’s attorney Scott Rosenblum said that his client looked at the various options and decided a guilty plea was in his best interest.
“He wanted to accept responsibility and get on with his life,” Rosenblum said.
By pleading guilty, Donnelly waived his rights to a jury trial and agreed to pay $2,000 restitution for damage to the Capitol.
Donnelly has previously been convicted of passing bad checks, theft, stealing a motor vehicle and attempted tampering with a witness or victim.