Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer was sentenced on Friday (October 25th) for his role in the insurrection on the Capitol building in Washington D.C., on January 6th, 2021. The veteran metal musician will serve three years’ probation after cooperating with the US Justice Department’s investigation into the infamous riot.
As a member of the Oath Keepers, Schaffer was at the front of a mob that broke open the doors on the west side of the Capitol, as they chased police officers into the building. The guitarist, who was armed with bear spray and wearing a tactical vest, exited the building after being sprayed with a chemical irritant.
Eleven days after the insurrection, Schaffer became the first rioter to turn himself in to authorities, and three months later became the first one to plead guilty for his involvement. Specifically, he pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a restricted building with a dangerous weapon.
Related Video
Schaffer was initially facing 3.5 to 4.5 years in prison but his sentence was delayed due to his willingness to cooperate with the US Justice Department.
Last week, federal prosecutors recommended a reduced sentence for Shaffer, with Assistant US Attorney Kathryn Rakoczy writing in a letter to the judge, “To be the first person to plead guilty, and to do so pursuant to a public cooperation plea agreement, in a case that has garnered such national interest and, sadly, controversy, took courage on Schaffer’s part.”
She continued, “While the government is not aware of any direct threats to Schaffer or his family, other individuals who cooperated publicly with the government in this investigation have received such threats. Thus, this court should give Schaffer credit for the danger and risk of injury to himself and to his family that resulted from his entry into a public cooperation plea agreement in this case.”
As CBS affiliate WUSA9 reported, US District Judge Amit P. Mehta appeared to agree with the recommendation, sentencing Shaffer on Friday to three years of supervised release and $1,000 in restitution. “I certainly thought that your example would cause others to come forward and admit what they’d done and cooperate,” Mehta told Schaffer at the sentencing. “That didn’t really happen.”
