Former Valley City School Board Candidate Enters Pleas for Role in January 6 Riot

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR/KFGO) — Former Valley City political candidate and North Dakota Young Republicans member, Damian Johnston, has pleaded guilty in federal court for charges stemming from the January 6 Capitol riots.

Johnston pleaded guilty to two counts of Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct on Capitol Grounds.

Other charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

He’ll be sentenced in February.

The 21-year-old Johnston ran for Valley City School Board in 2022.

He served as Vice Chairman of North Dakota Young Republicans until last February.

He was working as a diesel mechanic in Appleton, Wisconsin when he was arrested.