Prosecutors alleged Rhodes and his followers recruited members, amassed weapons and set up “quick reaction force” teams at a Virginia hotel that could ferry guns into the nation's capital if they were needed to support their plot. Other Oath Keepers are expected to be sentenced Friday and next week.Ī Washington, D.C., jury found Rhodes guilty of leading a plot to forcibly disrupt the transfer of presidential power. The judge found Meggs doesn’t present an ongoing threat to the country the way Rhodes does, but told him “violence cannot be resorted to just because you disagree with who got elected." Meggs said he was sorry he was involved in the riot that left a “black eye on the country," but maintained that he never planned to go into the Capitol. Rhodes," the judge said.Īnother Oath Keeper convicted of seditious conspiracy alongside Rhodes - Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs - was sentenced later Thursday to 12 years behind bars. Mehta fired back that Rhodes was not prosecuted for his political beliefs but for actions the judge described as an "offense against the people of the country.” “I’m a political prisoner and like President Trump my only crime is opposing those who are destroying our country,” said Rhodes, who appeared in Washington's federal court wearing orange jail clothes. Rhodes did not use his chance to address the judge to express remorse or appeal for leniency, but instead claimed to be a “political prisoner,” criticized prosecutors and the Biden administration and tried to play down his actions on Jan. “The moment you are released, whenever that may be, you will be ready to take up arms against your government.” “You are smart, you are charismatic and compelling and frankly that’s what makes you dangerous,” the judge told Rhodes. 6 could be repeated, saying Americans will “now hold our collective breaths every time an election is approaching.” The judge expressed fear that what happened on Jan. District Judge Amit Mehta described a defiant Rhodes as a continued threat to the United States and democracy. That decision could foreshadow lengthy sentences down the road for other far-right extremists, including former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who have also been convicted of the rarely used charge.īefore announcing Rhodes' sentence, U.S. 6 case, the judge agreed with the Justice Department that Rhodes' actions should be punished as “terrorism,” which increases the recommended sentence under federal guidelines. (Dana Verkouteren via AP, File) Dana Verkouteren/AP Show More Show Less He was sentenced Thursday after a landmark verdict convicting him of spearheading a weekslong plot to keep former President Donald Trump in power.
Rhodes has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy in the Jan. District Judge Amit Mehta on charges of seditious conspiracy in the Jan.
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Susan Walsh/AP Show More Show Less 2 of8 FILE - This artist sketch depicts the trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, left, as he testifies before U.S. 1 of8 FILE - Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington, June 25, 2017.
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