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Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes on Thursday was given the first sentence for a seditious conspiracy conviction in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack − 18 years in prison for plotting to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election so former President Donald Trump could stay in office.
But in coming days, eight other members of the right-wing militia group will be sentenced for crimes tied to the riot, from destruction of property to sedition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy said Thursday that the government intentionally charged the nine Oath Keepers with seditious conspiracy together; they all took “leadership roles” in both the right-wing militia group and the plot to block the 2020 election results, she said.
Here are the prison sentences given to the Oath Keepers tried for sedition.
Capitol riot arrests:See who’s been charged across the U.S.
Stewart Rhodes
Prosecutors said Thursday that Rhodes sat at the top of the Oath Keepers’ hierarchy, which is why they requested a sentence of 25 years for the right-wing militia group founder.
During his sentencing, Rhodes called himself a “political prisoner” with “preordained guilt from Day One.” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who is overseeing the case, strongly rebuked Rhodes’ criticism and expressed concern over Rhodes’ influence.
“I never have said this to anyone I have sentenced: You pose an ongoing threat and peril to our democracy and the fabric of this country,” he said before handing down the 18-year sentence.
Kelly Meggs
Kelly Meggs was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other serious felonies alongside Rhodes.
A Florida Oath Keepers leader and top lieutenant to Rhodes, Meggs was accused of paying for two Virginia hotel rooms where members of the right-wing militia stashed firearms for “quick reaction force” teams. Prosecutors said they planned to transport the weapons into D.C. if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, a measure presidents can use to deploy troops, or if violence broke out.
On Thursday, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his conduct. The DOJ sought a 21-year sentence.
Jessica Watkins
Jessica Watkins, an Army veteran from Woodstock, Ohio, led her own militia group called the Ohio State Regular Militia, a “dues-paying subset” of the Oath Keepers. Prosecutors said she was a pivotal organizer of the attack, bringing weapons for the other members waiting in Virginia and entering the Capitol as part of the first group in tactical formation.
Watkins was acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of other serious felonies including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties.
On Friday, Watkins was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison. The DOJ requested an 18-year sentence.
Kenneth Harrelson
Kenneth Harrelson, a welder and Florida resident, was accused of helping Meggs run the Florida Oath Keepers.
Harrelson was acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of other felonies, such as obstructing an official proceeding and conspiring to prevent an officer from discharging duties.
On Friday, Harrelson was sentenced to four years in prison for his conduct. The DOJ asked for a 15-year sentence.
Thomas Caldwell
Thomas Caldwell, a Navy veteran who once worked for the FBI, coordinated a planned armed response and engaged in reconnoitering the Capitol, prosecutors said. In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6, the Virginian sought a boat so if violence broke out, the Oath Keepers could transport weapons across the Potomac River into Washington.
Caldwell was acquitted of seditious conspiracy, but he was convicted of obstructing an official proceeding and tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors are seeking a 14-year sentence for Caldwell. He was set to be sentenced Wednesday, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta pushed the hearing to an unspecified date over efforts by his defense counsel to acquit him of some charges.
Roberto Minuta
Roberto Minuta, a New York tattoo shop owner living in Texas, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other serious felonies. Prosecutors said he raced across Washington in a golf cart with fellow Oath Keepers to join the Capitol attack after hearing that Trump supporters stormed the building.
The DOJ has recommended a 17-year sentence for Minuta. He is set to be sentenced June 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Edward Vallejo
Edward Vallejo, an Arizona Army veteran, was convicted of seditious conspiracy. Vallejo was accused of standing ready to deliver weapons from Virginia to D.C. if Rhodes told him to do so as part of a “quick reaction force” team.
Prosecutors asked for a 17-year sentence for Vallejo. He is set to be sentenced June 1 at 1:30 p.m.
David Moerschel
Floridian David Moerschel was convicted of seditious conspiracy. He was accused of being part of the first tactical group to enter the Capitol, communicating in Oath Keepers chatrooms and transporting weapons to Washington.
The DOJ requested a 10-year sentence for Moerschel. He is set to be sentenced June 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Joseph Hackett
Floridian Joseph Hackett was convicted of seditious conspiracy. Prosecutors said he joined the Oath Keepers’ first tactical formation to attack the Capitol, and he took part in a training on “unconventional warfare” in November 2020.
The DOJ is asking for a 12-year sentence for Hackett. He is set to be sentenced June 2 at 1:30 p.m.
This story will be updated as additional sentences are handed down.
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