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Trump supporters are tear gassed outside the US Capitol in January. Photo: TNS

Oath Keepers founding member is first to plead guilty in US Capitol attack

  • The plea by heavy metal guitarist Jon Schaffer signals a new stage in the investigation of the deadly January 6 siege
  • The right-wing group member is among hundreds of Trump supporters who stormed the building in an attempt to overturn Biden’s election victory
US Politics

A founding member of the right-wing Oath Keepers on Friday became the first person to plead guilty to taking part in the US Capitol attack, signalling a new stage in the investigation of the deadly January 6 assault on the seat of American democracy.

Indiana native Jon Schaffer, founder and guitarist of the heavy metal band Iced Earth, entered a guilty plea to two felony charges of obstructing the certification of the 2020 election and breaching a restricted building.

During a hearing in Washington federal court, US District Judge Amit Mehta said Schaffer, 52, had no previous criminal record and voluntarily contacted authorities soon after the Capitol incident.

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The judge indicated that Schaffer was involved in discussions about cooperating with government investigators and agreed to release him from custody on his own recognisance, with another hearing scheduled for mid-June.

Schaffer is among hundreds of supporters of former president Donald Trump who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the November election results. Attackers battled with police, smashed windows and sent lawmakers fleeing for safety.

Five people, including Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, died in the violence.

Prosecutors said Schaffer wore a tactical vest and carried bear spray repellent when he joined the attack the Capitol 100 days ago.

A lawyer for Schaffer agreed at Friday’s hearing that Schaffer entered the Capitol that day as Congress prepared to certify the Electoral College vote in favour of Joe Biden.

Attack on US Capitol leaves suspect and one police officer dead

In a court filing, prosecutors said Schaffer, who was photographed during the Capitol siege wearing a cap with the insignia of the right-wing Oath Keepers, “was among the rioters who sprayed United States Capitol Police officers with ‘bear spray’”.

Prosecutors said Schaffer was “photographed and captured on surveillance video” carrying the bear spray and also was filmed “engaging in verbal altercations with Capitol Police officers inside the Capitol Building”.

More than 400 people have been arrested and charged with taking part in the violence. The most serious charges have been assault, conspiracy and obstruction of Congress or law enforcement.

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