Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer Pleads Guilty to Two Charges in Capitol Riot Read More: Jon Schaffer Plea

[Initech]

Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer has entered a guilty plea on two of the charges against him related to the Capitol building riot earlier this year as part of a plea deal.

According to the Washington Post, the musician is the first to agree to a plea deal in the domestic terrorism investigation that saw over 400 people charged for their roles in the invasion of the Capitol Building back on Jan. 6.

The two charges he pled guilty to were obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

Shortly after the riots took place, Schaffer was one of the first identified in photos that were taken at the Capitol Building and he was later sought out for his role. The Iced Earth guitarist turned himself in to FBI agents in Indianapolis on Jan. 18 and remained in Indiana until recently when his case was sent to court in Washington, D.C.

Schaffer was charged on Friday (April 16) by criminal information, a type of charging document used when a defendant waives the right to an indictment. He was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, but as part of the plea deal he only plead guilty to two of the counts. Both are felony offenses carrying heavy penalties.


Read More: Jon Schaffer Pleads Guilty to Two Charges in Capitol Riot | https://loudwire.com/iced-earth-jon-schaffer-pleads-guilty-two-charges-capitol-riot/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

30 years? That's what you get for following a con artist!

[vlyons]

1. What penalty did he get?

nt

[Maraya1969]

2. It only says what potential penalty he could get. A total of 30 years.

"The obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison; the other, trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon, carries up to a 10 year prison term. Those two counts, according to the Washington Post, have been brought against roughly one-fourth of those charged to date.

[underpants]

3. That will be interesting to see

I don’t think the sentences are going to be as severe as many people here think. A lot of them are middle aged white guys AND there is a concerted effort to keep prison populations down in the pandemic. That being said, many people arrested had priors. The early arrests especially had a lot of previous convictions on different charges - that’s just from memory.

[whopis01]

5. They are recommending between 3.5 and 4.5 years for him

And of course this is dependent on his cooperation with the government on other cases.

I am ok with that. I was afraid they were going to go far lighter than that on these people.

So 3.5 - 4.5 years for being the first to cooperate and plead guilty is good as long as they are far harsher on anyone not cooperating.

[vlyons]

7. I hope a stiff fine is included

nt

[greenjar_01]

9. That is way more time than I was expecting

If this guy gets even TWO years on a plea, expect a flood of pleas in the next two-three weeks. Whoa.

[WarGamer]

11. He represents the top end of the punishment scale

He was at the front of the phalanx and one of the first thru the Capitol doors.

No ones getting 20+ years.

[whopis01]

15. I don't think he does.

I think there are some who will be getting significantly longer sentences.
Maybe not 20+ years - but more than 2-3.

[WarGamer]

18. How about trials?

Who's going to plea to a 20 year sentence?

[whopis01]

21. That's kind of my point - some are going to go to trials.

they are going to get longer sentences

[WarGamer]

22. if/when they're found guilty after the change of venue requests and jury content (6 Trump voters)

[obamanut2012]

13. Same! I was expecting more like 18-4 months for pleas with this

[underpants]

14. So without a plea what are the traitors looking at?

I’d guess 5-8????
The charges against him are two of the more standard 3 that I’ve seen.

[WarGamer]

19. without a plea, there's a TRIAL.

Where 12 people must conclude guilt.

And defense att'y will seek change of venue and insist on 6 Trumpers on the jury.

[underpants]

20. I know the process I'm just guessing at the eventual outcome

[underpants]

4. I now have heard of Iced Earth

That happened when I was today years old.

[Initech]

8. As a heavy metal fan for over half my life, I am well aware of Iced Earth.

Even at one time I went to go see them in concert. But now... they are definitely off my list forever. I had no idea Schaffer was one of the founders of the Oaf Creepers.

[Iggo]

6. Four years, and he rats out his buddies.

I do believe he's recommended for, or at least qualified for, witness protection.

[Initech]

12. I wonder who else is at the top of the Oaf Creepers food chain?

That seems like a fact worth knowing! I bet he's not the only celebrity involved.

[Iggo]

16. Let's make 'em all celebrities.

[Initech]

17. I approve of this idea!

You can run, but you can't hide!

[malaise]

10. The best part of this report

the musician is the first to agree to a plea deal in the domestic terrorism investigation

Rec