Heavy metal band Iced Earth’s guitarist avoids additional time behind bars in January 6 trial

washington – A heavy metal guitarist who was part of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers when he participated in the riot at the US Capitol January 6, 2021He avoided additional time behind bars Friday when he was sentenced to probation for his role in the attack.

Jon Ryan Schaffer, who founded the band Iced Earth The first defendant to plead guilty on January 6 The sentencing judge and prosecutors thanked Schaffer for his decision to quickly accept responsibility and cooperate with Justice Department officials investigating the riot.

“How quickly you came forward to accept responsibility says a lot about who you are,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta told him during a hearing at the Washington federal courthouse before sentencing him to three years of supervised release. he said.

Appearing before the judge, Schaffer apologized to his fans and said he was deeply sorry for the “pain and embarrassment” his actions had caused.

“I promise: I won’t let you down,” Schaffer told the judge.

In an agreement with prosecutors in April 2021, he pleaded guilty to two charges: obstructing an official act and entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous or deadly weapon. He was not accused of participating in any pre-planning or coordination with other Oath Keepers members. Those convicted in separate seditious conspiracy cases and other serious charges.

Schaffer came to Washington for the “Million MAGA March” in November 2020 to protest the election results. There he told a journalist that “a group of thugs and criminals have hijacked this country”, adding: “We see you and we see you too.” “I’m going downstairs, mark my words,” he said, according to court documents.

On Jan. 6, Schaffer was wearing a hat and tactical vest that read “Life Member of the Oathbound” and was carrying a can of bear spray. Prosecutors say he was one of the first people to enter the Capitol through the doors on the building’s northwest side.

His lawyer, Marc Victor, said he was inside for about 10 minutes, did not participate in any violence or destruction, and spent nearly three months in jail after his arrest. Victor told the judge that Schaffer believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and the country was “on the verge of takeover” when he attacked the Capitol.

“He was wrong, but he believed it,” Victor said. “He was misled by people in the executive branch.”

More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Of those, nearly 1,200 pleaded guilty or were convicted after cases decided by judges and juries. And more than 1,000 of the defendants were convicted; Roughly two-thirds were sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few days to several days. 22 years.