An Indiana man accused of being a longtime member of the Oath of Allegiance on Friday pleaded guilty to entering the U.S. Capitol illegally during the January 6 riots, a major milestone in the government’s effort to understand forces behind the siege.
It was the first plea the federal government received in connection with the riot, which took place 100 days ago.
” On this 100th day since the horrific assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, Jon Schaffer, a member of the Oath Keepers, pleaded guilty to several offenses, including violating the Capitol while wearing a tactical vest and armed with a bear spray, for the purpose of interfering. with the Congress’ certification of the results of the Electoral College, ”said John Carlin, acting deputy attorney general.
Schaffer’s plea was over two of the six charges filed against him in January an assertion included that he was among rioters who assaulted Capitol police officers with bear spray. His plea does not contain the original charge.
He appeared at a video conference on Friday to enter his plea in the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC.
Prosecutors said two far-right groups, the Oath Guards and the Proud Boys, were on the verge of planning for violence in Washington on January 6 and that they had violated the Capitol. Schaffer’s plea could give them new insight into what’s going on in one of the groups.
Asked on Friday whether his plea agreement contained the requirement that he cooperate with the government, including questioning investigators, Schaffer replied, “Yes, your honor.”
Chuck Rosenberg, a former federal prosecutor and MSNBC contributor, said the plea was a major development.
“The best way for prosecutors to settle cases is when the people who know the most about the crime – usually the criminals – plead guilty and work together.”
If the government is satisfied with his cooperation, prosecutors can ask the judge to reduce Schaffer’s sentence.
Friday’s development was not a surprise. In a prosecution document that was accidentally posted on a court website in early April, it was revealed that his lawyers were involved in ‘advanced plea negotiations’ with the justice department.
Schaffer attracted extra attention because he is known in the world of heavy metal music as a guitarist for the group “Iced Earth”.
Band members denied the riots on January 6 and said in a statement posted by then-guitarist Luke Appleton that they did not approve of ‘riots or acts of violence’.
The group further said it hoped “all those involved will be brought to justice that day.”
Schaffer surrendered on January 17 after his photo appeared on an FBI poster asking for the public’s help in finding rioters, officials said.
By pleading guilty, Schaffer secured release from privileged detention. No sentencing date has been set yet, and the next trial will be in two months.
David K. Li contributed.