4 guilty of conspiracy in latest Oath Keepers trial
But 2 others were acquitted of some charges in the case
WASHINGTON — Four people associated with the Oath Keepers were convicted on Monday of conspiracy and obstruction charges stemming from the attack on the U.S. Capitol in the latest trial involving members of the far-right antigovernment extremist group.
A Washington, D.C. jury found Sandra Parker, of Morrow, Ohio; Laura Steele, of Thomasville, N.C.; William Isaacs, of Kissimmee, Fla.; and Connie Meggs, of Dunnellon, Fla., guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and other felony charges.
In a rare loss for prosecutors, Parker’s husband, Bennie Parker, was acquitted of obstruction as well as one conspiracy charge, and a sixth defendant — Michael Greene, of Indianapolis — was acquitted of two conspiracy charges.
Jurors said they couldn’t reach a verdict on another conspiracy charge for Bennie Parker and the obstruction charge for Greene, so the judge instructed them to keep deliberating. All six defendants were convicted of a misdemeanor trespassing offense.
They were the third group of Oath Keepers members and associates to be tried on serious charges in the riot that temporarily halted the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory and left dozens of police officers injured. Unlike other Oath Keepers, they were not charged with seditious conspiracy — the most serious offense prosecutors have levied so far in the attack.
The verdict comes the same day the prosecution rested its case in another high-profile Capitol riot trial against former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and four lieutenants, who are charged with seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors say was a plot to forcibly overturn Biden’s election victory.
In November, Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs — who led the Oath Keepers’ Florida chapter — were convicted of seditious conspiracy.
Connie Meggs is the wife of Kelly Meggs.
Authorities alleged Oath Keepers prepared for weeks leading up to Jan. 6, attended training sessions and recruited others to come to Washington. Authorities have said the extremist group stashed weapons at a Virginia hotel in case they were needed, donned tactical vests and helmets and moved in an organized fashion as they advanced on the Capitol.
The Oath Keepers have denied there was any plot to storm the Capitol or stop the certification.