Magistrate releases Proud Boy leader on bond

A federal magistrate judge has rejected the government’s request to keep the alleged leader of the Kansas City chapter of the Proud Boys in custody pending his trial for the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Magistrate Judge James O’Hara ruled Friday that William Chrestman could be released on a $10,000 bond to home detention with electronic monitoring.

The judge also found that the record shows an overwhelming case on the merits against the defendant, saying the court believes his ultimate conviction is highly probable, with a significant prison sentence to follow.