Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has been sentenced for his half within the January 6 Capitol Hill Rebellion.
Per Consequence final Friday (October 25), the heavy metallic musician will serve three years’ probation after cooperating with the US Justice Division’s investigation into the notorious riot, avoiding additional jail time after a two-month stint in early 2021 that, in accordance with his lawyer, concerned having “thrown faeces… and urine at him”, together with threats towards his life.
Schaffer had initially been dealing with as much as four-and-a-half years in jail – his sentence was ultimately delayed as a result of his willingness to cooperate with the US Justice Division.
On January 6, the guitarist was amongst a bunch of Donald Trump supporters who stormed Capitol Hill to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress, which resulted within the complicated being locked down.
Plenty of protesters breached safety and received contained in the constructing whereas others clashed with police exterior. Eyewitness video captured police repelling the attackers with batons, pepper spray, and tear fuel.
Schaffer is reported to have participated within the riot as a part of far-right extremist group Oath Keepers. Per ABC Information, Schaffer is not a part of the group, and he was the primary defendent to plead responsible in 2021 – to 2 felony counts of obstruction of an official continuing and coming into a restricted constructing with a harmful weapon after initially being charged with six crimes.
In a press release by Schaffer through Attorneys For Freedom Regulation Agency, issued upon his sentencing, he wrote that he “profoundly remorse my actions on January sixth, 2021”.
“When the worldwide pandemic stumbled on us, and chaos ensued throughout the US in 2020, I used to be very involved about what appeared to be a collapse of our nation and the rule of legislation,” he continues.
“When the 2020 election came about and I noticed many public officers and media shops reporting that the election was stolen, my concern deepened. This led to my choice to go to D.C. and have my voice heard. I’m not excusing my impulsive conduct. I used to be fallacious, and I take possession of my actions.”
“I personal the truth that I made an enormous mistake, and I want I by no means would have gone there. In truth, the implications have been devastating on my life, household, buddies, enterprise, colleagues and enterprise companions.”
A lawsuit filed by Washington D.C. Lawyer Normal Karl Racine in 2021 described Schaffer as “a founding, lifetime member of the Oath Keepers,” whereas additionally acknowledging he “was criminally charged and indicted for his position in perpetrating the January sixth Assault.”
Schaffer was questioned about his ties to the militia organisation the Oath Keepers. Throughout the riot, Schaffer was filmed and photographed carrying an Oath Keepers Lifetime Member baseball hat. It’s been reported that he provided up info on the Oath Keepers as a part of his plea deal.
The assault on the Capitol resulted in 5 deaths, assaults on almost 140 cops and the evacuation of Congress.
Within the wake of Schaffer’s involvement within the Capitol riot, Iced Earth parted methods, with the singer Stu Block, bassist Luke Appleton and guitarist Jake Dreyer all revealing their plans following the guitarist’s preliminary jailing.
