Former Oath Keepers, including a heavy metal guitarist, are avoiding…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two former members of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers, including the heavy metal band’s guitarist, avoided prison time Friday for their roles in January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. after pleading guilty to federal charges and cooperating with investigators.

John Ryan Shaffer, founder of the band Iced Earth, was the first defendant in the January 6 case to plead guilty in 2021. In agreeing to three years’ probation, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta commended Shaffer for his decision to quickly accept responsibility.

On Friday, in a separate case, another former Oath Keeper was also sentenced to probation after a judge and prosecutor praised him for his active cooperation with investigators, including testifying at two trials. The judge told 23-year-old Caleb Berry that the American people owe him a debt of gratitude for standing as a witness and testifying against his fellow militia group members about their actions surrounding the events of Jan. 6.

“Agreeing to cooperate and telling the world takes courage, courage, and not without some risk to yourself,” said Mehta Berry, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to charges of conspiracy and obstruction.

Standing before the judge with his hands behind his back, Berry said he was grateful prosecutors brought charges against him because it opened his eyes to the “path of radicalization” he was on. Berry apologized to his family and “the entire country” for this. decisions he says he will regret for the rest of his life.

“I was stupid… I let my emotions get the better of me,” he said.

Berry provided what prosecutors called “pivotal” evidence against Oath Keepers members. convicted of sedition for conspiring to keep then-President Donald Trump in power. Berry told jurors he believed Oath Keepers founder Stuart Rhodes wanted his followers to be prepared to “fight the federal government.”

“We had to act or we would die,” Berry told jurors at one trial about his understanding of Rhodes’ words, according to court documents. Rhodes was sentenced last year to 18 years in prison.

Shaffer pleaded guilty in a deal with prosecutors in April 2021 to two counts of obstructing an official proceeding and entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous or deadly weapon. He was not accused of engaging in any pre-planning or coordination with other members of the Oath Keepers.

Before the judge handed down his sentence, Shaffer apologized to his fans and said he deeply regretted the “pain and embarrassment” his actions caused.

“I give you my word: I will not let you down,” Shaffer told the judge.

Shaffer came to Washington in November 2020 for the Million Magician March to protest the election results. He told the journalist that “a group of thugs and criminals have taken over this country,” adding: “We see you, and you.” we are falling, mark my words,” court documents say.

On Jan. 6, Schaffer was wearing a hat that read “Lifetime Member of the Oath Keepers,” a tactical vest and a can of bear spray. Prosecutors said he was one of the first to enter the Capitol through doors on the northwest side of the building.

He was inside for about 10 minutes, did not participate in any violence or destruction and has already spent about three months in jail after his arrest, said his lawyer, Mark Victor. Schaffer believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and that the country was “on the verge of a takeover” when he stormed the Capitol, Victor told the judge.

“He was wrong, but that’s what he believed,” Victor said. “He was misled by people in the executive branch.”

More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. About 1,200 of them pleaded guilty or were convicted after trials decided by judges and juries. More than 1,000 defendants were sentenced, with approximately two-thirds receiving prison sentences ranging from a few days to 22 years old.