Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has been sentenced for his part in the January 6 Capitol Hill Insurrection.
Per Consequence last Friday (October 25), the heavy metal musician will serve three years’ probation after cooperating with the US Justice Department’s investigation into the infamous riot, avoiding further prison time after a two-month stint in early 2021 that, according to his lawyer, involved having “thrown faeces… and urine at him”, along with threats against his life.
Schaffer had initially been facing up to four-and-a-half years in prison – his sentence was eventually delayed due to his willingness to cooperate with the US Justice Department.
On January 6, the guitarist was among a group of Donald Trump supporters who stormed Capitol Hill to protest the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory in Congress, which resulted in the complex being locked down.
A number of protesters breached security and got inside the building while others clashed with police outside. Eyewitness video captured police repelling the attackers with batons, pepper spray, and tear gas.
Schaffer is reported to have participated in the riot as part of far-right extremist group Oath Keepers. Per ABC News, Schaffer is no longer part of the group, and he was the first defendent to plead guilty in 2021 – to two felony counts of obstruction of an official proceeding and entering a restricted building with a dangerous weapon after initially being charged with six crimes.
In a statement by Schaffer via Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm, issued upon his sentencing, he wrote that he “profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021”.
“When the global pandemic came upon us, and chaos ensued all around the US in 2020, I was very concerned about what seemed to be a collapse of our country and the rule of law,” he continues.
“When the 2020 election took place and I saw many public officials and media outlets reporting that the election was stolen, my concern deepened. This led to my decision to go to D.C. and have my voice heard. I’m not excusing my impulsive behavior. I was wrong, and I take ownership of my actions.”
“I own the fact that I made a huge mistake, and I wish I never would have gone there. In fact, the consequences have been devastating on my life, family, friends, business, colleagues and business partners.”
A lawsuit filed by Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine in 2021 described Schaffer as “a founding, lifetime member of the Oath Keepers,” while also acknowledging he “was criminally charged and indicted for his role in perpetrating the January 6th Attack.”
Schaffer was questioned about his ties to the militia organisation the Oath Keepers. During the insurrection, Schaffer was filmed and photographed wearing an Oath Keepers Lifetime Member baseball hat. It’s been reported that he offered up information on the Oath Keepers as part of his plea deal.
The attack on the Capitol resulted in five deaths, assaults on nearly 140 police officers and the evacuation of Congress.
In the wake of Schaffer’s involvement in the Capitol riot, Iced Earth parted ways, with the singer Stu Block, bassist Luke Appleton and guitarist Jake Dreyer all revealing their plans following the guitarist’s initial jailing.
