SHAMAN PLEADS GUILTY
3+ yrs. for Jan. 6 riot
The “QAnon Shaman” — known for storming the US Capitol in a horned Coyote-fur headdress and American-flag paint — pleaded guilty to an obstruction charge in federal court Friday and will serve at least 3½ years in prison, according to a report.
Jacob Chansley (right), 34, of Phoenix, Ariz. copped to a count of obstruction of an official proceeding, one of six charges he faced for his role in the US Capitol riot on Jan.6, according to CBS News.
Under federal guidelines, he’s expected to be sentenced to 3¹/2 to a little over 4 years behind bars, minus the eight months of time he’s already served. He has also agreed to pay $2,000 in restitution.
Chansley — who became the face of the riot after wild photos of him clutching a spear as he breached the Senate Chamber were widely circulated — was initially hit with charges including civil disorder, violent entry and disorderly conduct. He had faced up to 28 years behind bars.
His lawyer, Al Watkins, says Chansley is “non-violent, peaceful and possessed genuine mental health issues” at the time of the conspiracy-theory-fueled breach.
In May, he was ordered by a judge to undergo a psychological evaluation. He has said he believes he’s “directly related to Jesus and Buddha,” according to Watkins.
Chansley, who was among the first rioters to storm the Capitol with fellow supporters of former President Donald Trump, left a note on the desk of former Vice President Mike Pence saying, “It’s only a matter of time, justice is coming,” according to prosecutors. He has since said he no longer supports Trump. A month after his arrest, in February, Chansley convinced a federal judge to order the jail where he was locked up to serve him only organic meals.
He later told “60 Minutes” that he breached the building to “bring God back into the Senate.”
On Thursday, Watkins told The Post, “It has been a long road educating the court about mental health vulnerabilities” and that “shifting dialog” allowed him to strike a deal with prosecutors.
Chansley’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov 17.