Former Valley City politician pleads guilty to charges in Jan. 6 Capitol attack | Powerful 790 KFGO

Official photo of candidate Damian Johnston in his 2022 bid for Valley City School Board.

WASHINGTON, DC (KFGO) – A former Valley City political candidate and prominent member of the North Dakota Young Republicans has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol.

Damian Johnston, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. Charges of parading, demonstrating or picketing the Capitol building, entering and being in a closed building, and disorderly conduct and disruptive behavior in a closed building were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Johnston was charged in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. His case was opened on September 26, 2024. He was arrested later that day in Appleton, Wisconsin. He pleaded guilty on October 17. After pleading guilty, Johnston waived his right to a jury trial. Sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2025.

Johnston is from Valley City and is running for the Valley City School Board in 2022. Until February 2024, he served as vice chairman of the Young Republicans of North Dakota. He was a volunteer firefighter in Valley City and worked as a diesel mechanic in Appleton. when he was arrested.

Multiple attempts by KFGO News to reach Johnston were unsuccessful.