Jon Schaffer of heavy metal band Iced Earth has been sentenced to three years of probation following his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, according to recent reports.
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Schaffer is a guitarist and also a founding member of the far-right anti-government militia Oath Keepers. He was among the first wave of people to breach the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. A judge has sentenced him to three years of probation with 120 hours of community service. In addition to his probation and community service, Schaffer will be required to pay $1,200 in fees related to restitution and a financial assessment.
The sentence aligns closely with what the federal government recommended earlier in October. However, the Department of Justice had asked him to pay approximately $2,000 in restitution.
Schaffer accepted a plea deal in April of 2021 for a lighter sentence. Prosecutors praised the guitarist for his cooperation in the investigation related to the insurrection. They also openly recommended that he not serve jail time. Instead, he was asked to provide information related to other cases involved in the January 6 insurrection and testified in front of a grand jury.
Schaffer was one of the most prominent individuals to be involved with the Capitol riots, namely because of his known involvement in heavy metal music.
Schaffer turned himself in to the FBI a little less than two weeks after the insurrection took place. He decided to turn himself in after he had been placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list.
Jon Schaffer Releases Statement, Claims He “Profoundly Regrets” His Actions
Schaffer recently released a statement in the wake of his sentencing.
“When the global pandemic came upon us, and chaos ensued all around the U.S. in 2020, I was very concerned about what seemed to be a collapse of our country and the rule of law,” the statement from Schaffer reads. “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.”
Schaffer had no criminal record before the January 6 incident. The Department of Justice has not commented on Schaffer’s sentencing.
Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images
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