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Oath Keepers Founder Rhodes Gets 18-Year Sentence For Seditious Conspiracy—Longest Jan. 6 Sentence So Far

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Updated May 25, 2023, 02:06pm EDT

Topline

Stewart Rhodes—the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers militia—was sentenced to 18 years in prison, according to multiple reports, nearly six months after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy for the group’s involvement in an attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Key Facts

Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Rhodes’ actions on January 6 amounted to domestic terrorism, according to CNN, adding Rhodes “was the one giving the orders” as members of the Oath Keepers participated in the riot.

Rhodes—along with Oath Keepers member Kelly Meggs—was convicted in November of seditious conspiracy in addition to obstruction of an official proceeding and tampering with documents and proceedings.

Prosecutors say Rhodes and the other Oath Keeper defendants "sowed doubt in others, riled up and recruited them to travel to D.C., and led them in an attack on the Capitol by giving the riot leaders.”

Attorneys representing Rhodes argued he only participated in the riot, adding had he not been in Washington D.C., “January 6 would have still happened.”

Rhodes—who was not accused of entering the Capitol—argued he was “a political prisoner” and the Oath Keepers are “quiet professionals,” suggesting neither he nor the group “took part in any of the fighting” that day.

His sentencing follows impact statements Wednesday, during which prosecutors argued Rhodes should serve at least 25 years.

Crucial Quote

“He was the one organizing the teams that day,” Mehta said, adding, “He was the reason they were, in fact, in Washington D.C. Oath Keepers wouldn’t have been there but for Stewart Rhodes, I don’t think anyone contends otherwise. He was the one who gave the order to go, and they went.”

Surprising Fact

An 18-year sentence is the longest Capitol riot sentence imposed so far, after more than 1,000 indictments over the last two years, according to the Associated Press. The previous record was 14 years, after Peter Schwartz was convicted of felony assault and other charges earlier this month for pepper-spraying police officers outside the Capitol.

What To Watch For

Meggs and four other members of the Oath Keepers also convicted of seditious conspiracy—Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel and Edward Vallejo—are to be sentenced later Thursday.

Key Background

Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers, a nationwide right-wing militia group, in 2009, after he says he witnessed President George W. Bush abusing his presidency, according to the New York Times. Rhodes previously served in the military from 1983 to 1989 and worked for Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). Prosecutors argued Rhodes and other Oath Keepers members “agreed to do whatever was necessary” to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden’s election win on January 6, though Rhodes’ attorneys said “there was no plan” for the group to attack the Capitol. His conviction on seditious conspiracy charges was the first since 1995, when an Egyptian cleric and nine followers were found guilty of a plot to bomb New York City landmarks.

Tangent

Members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, have also been charged for their involvement in the January 6 riot. Chairman Enrique Tarrio and members Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean and Zachary Rehl were each found guilty earlier this month of seditious conspiracy. All four face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Further Reading

Oath Keepers Trial: Founder Stewart Rhodes Found Guilty Of Seditious Conspiracy—In A First Since 1995 (Forbes)

Oath Keepers Trial: Four More Members Found Guilty Of Seditious Conspiracy In Jan. 6 Case (Forbes)

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