Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has been sentenced to three years of supervised probation for his role in the January 06th, 2021 riot at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC. Schaffer‘s relatively lax sentence is a result of his cooperation with the U.S. government.
Schaffer was identified early on as having ties to the far-right anti government militia of sorts, Oath Keepers. Schaffer was seen wearing a hat belonging to that organization during the aforementioned riot. Schaffer was also named in a civil lawsuit in regards to his actions on January 06th.
As part of his plea bargain, he entered guilty pleas to the charges of obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress, and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon (bear spray). He was initially detained for three months on numerous charges and is said to have provided “substantial assistance” to law enforcement since his arrest. During his time in incarceration, he was said to have been subjected to fecal and urine attacks from other inmates.
In light of his sentencing, Schaffer will also be ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. He has also been ordered to serve 120 hours of community service. Schaffer was among those at the forefront of a surge of a mob who broke open the doors to the Capitol building on the Northwest side.
He was seen to engage in a verbal confrontation with security officers. That mob was eventually dispersed by use of chemical irritant. A copy of the sentencing memorandum outlining Schaffer‘s actions on the day of the riot, as well as his assistance and sentencing has been made available online.
[via Blabbermouth.net]
