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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIced Earth's Jon Schaffer Pleads Guilty to Two Charges in Capitol Riot Read More: Jon Schaffer Plea
According to the Washington Post, the musician is the first to agree to a plea deal in the domestic terrorism investigation that saw over 400 people charged for their roles in the invasion of the Capitol Building back on Jan. 6.
The two charges he pled guilty to were obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Shortly after the riots took place, Schaffer was one of the first identified in photos that were taken at the Capitol Building and he was later sought out for his role. The Iced Earth guitarist turned himself in to FBI agents in Indianapolis on Jan. 18 and remained in Indiana until recently when his case was sent to court in Washington, D.C.
Schaffer was charged on Friday (April 16) by criminal information, a type of charging document used when a defendant waives the right to an indictment. He was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, but as part of the plea deal he only plead guilty to two of the counts. Both are felony offenses carrying heavy penalties.
Read More: Jon Schaffer Pleads Guilty to Two Charges in Capitol Riot | https://loudwire.com/iced-earth-jon-schaffer-pleads-guilty-two-charges-capitol-riot/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
30 years? That's what you get for following a con artist!
vlyons
(10,252 posts)nt
Maraya1969
(22,479 posts)"The obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison; the other, trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon, carries up to a 10 year prison term. Those two counts, according to the Washington Post, have been brought against roughly one-fourth of those charged to date.
underpants
(182,798 posts)I dont think the sentences are going to be as severe as many people here think. A lot of them are middle aged white guys AND there is a concerted effort to keep prison populations down in the pandemic. That being said, many people arrested had priors. The early arrests especially had a lot of previous convictions on different charges - thats just from memory.
whopis01
(3,511 posts)And of course this is dependent on his cooperation with the government on other cases.
I am ok with that. I was afraid they were going to go far lighter than that on these people.
So 3.5 - 4.5 years for being the first to cooperate and plead guilty is good as long as they are far harsher on anyone not cooperating.
vlyons
(10,252 posts)nt
greenjar_01
(6,477 posts)If this guy gets even TWO years on a plea, expect a flood of pleas in the next two-three weeks. Whoa.
WarGamer
(12,440 posts)He was at the front of the phalanx and one of the first thru the Capitol doors.
No ones getting 20+ years.
whopis01
(3,511 posts)I think there are some who will be getting significantly longer sentences.
Maybe not 20+ years - but more than 2-3.
WarGamer
(12,440 posts)Who's going to plea to a 20 year sentence?
whopis01
(3,511 posts)they are going to get longer sentences
WarGamer
(12,440 posts)obamanut2012
(26,071 posts)underpants
(182,798 posts)Id guess 5-8????
The charges against him are two of the more standard 3 that Ive seen.
WarGamer
(12,440 posts)Where 12 people must conclude guilt.
And defense att'y will seek change of venue and insist on 6 Trumpers on the jury.
underpants
(182,798 posts)underpants
(182,798 posts)That happened when I was today years old.
Initech
(100,068 posts)Even at one time I went to go see them in concert. But now... they are definitely off my list forever. I had no idea Schaffer was one of the founders of the Oaf Creepers.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)I do believe he's recommended for, or at least qualified for, witness protection.
Initech
(100,068 posts)That seems like a fact worth knowing! I bet he's not the only celebrity involved.
Iggo
(47,552 posts)Initech
(100,068 posts)You can run, but you can't hide!
malaise
(268,986 posts)the musician is the first to agree to a plea deal in the domestic terrorism investigation
Rec