Ex-Oath Keepers, including heavy metal guitarist, granted parole for January 6

Two former members of the extreme right Oath Keepersincluding a heavy metal guitarist, were granted parole on Friday for their role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

That day of infamy, a mob of the then president donald trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC, in a failed attempt to prevent Congress to certify joe bidenThe 2020 election victory The riot erupted following Trump’s repeated claims that Biden’s election victory was stolen through widespread voter fraud, despite there being no evidence to support such claims.

Jon Ryan Schaffer pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding and entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous or deadly weapon in April 2021. He was the first defendant charged with crimes in the attack to plead guilty.

Schaffer was sentenced to three years of probation on Friday, and was credited by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta for his decision to quickly accept responsibility.

‘I won’t let you down’

Before receiving his sentence, Schaffer, founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth, apologized to his fans and said he deeply regrets the “pain and shame” his actions have caused.

“You have my word: I will not let you down,” Schaffer told Mehta.

Wearing a hat that said “Life Member of Oath Keepers” and a tactical vest on the day of the siege, Schaffer, who was armed with bear spray, was one of the first rioters to storm the Capitol, according to prosecutors.

Schaffer’s attorney, Marc Victor, said his client was inside the Capitol for about 10 minutes. Victor said Schaffer did not participate in any violence or destruction.

“He was wrong, but that’s what he believed,” Victor said. “He was deceived by people in the executive branch.”

Victor said Schaffer already spent about three months in jail after his arrest.

Another former oathkeeper avoids prison

Former Oath Keeper Caleb Berry was also sentenced to probation on Friday after pleading guilty in 2021 to conspiracy and obstruction charges in a separate case.

Berry was praised for his extensive cooperation with investigators, which included testifying at two trials.

Mehta told Berry that the American people owe him a “debt of gratitude” for testifying against other Oath Keepers about their actions surrounding the Capitol riot.

“Agreeing to cooperate and telling the world took guts, bravery, not without some risk to yourself,” Mehta said.

Berry provided what prosecutors called “pivotal” testimony against the Oath Keepers, who ended up being convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the riot.

In court Friday, Berry said he was grateful to prosecutors for charging him because it opened his eyes to the “path of radicalization” he was headed down.

Berry apologized to his family and “the entire country” for his regrettable decisions.

“I acted in a foolish way… I let my emotions get the best of me,” he said.

Hundreds charged in Capitol riot

More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the attack on the Capitol. Approximately 1,200 have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trial. More than 1,000 of the Jan. 6 defendants have been sentenced, with about two-thirds receiving prison terms of a few days to 22 years.

Trump, now Republican presidential candidate, He also faces four federal felony charges. related to his activities around the attack on the Capitol.

The former president is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction and attempted obstruction of an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.

Trump has previously referred to the Jan. 6 defendants still imprisoned as “hostages” and “victims” and repeatedly called for their release. he also said he would forgive them if elected on November 5.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.