U.S. Government Makes Sentencing Request for Jon Schaffer
The U.S. authorities has made their suggestion on the sentencing of Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Per an Oct. 14 sentencing memorandum obtained by Blabbermouth, the federal government is requesting three years of supervised probation for the musician in addition to monetary restitution.
Why the U.S. Government Is Only Seeking Probation
As a part of the memorandum, the federal government states, “Such a sentence would be sufficient to reflect the seriousness of this offense while also accounting for the three months defendant was detained following his arrest, the defendant’s early acceptance of responsibility, and the substantial assistance he has provided to law enforcement pursuant to his cooperation plea agreement.”
In addition to the three years of supervised probation, the federal government is asking for $2,000 paid in restitution in addition to a compulsory $200 particular evaluation cost.
What Jon Schaffer Did on January 6
On Jan. 6, 2021, Schaffer was amongst those that stormed the Capitol Building making an attempt to cease the switch the ability of the presidency from Donald Trump to Joe Biden as the federal government was set to certify the outcomes of the earlier yr’s election.
The musician was amongst these photographed amidst the mob storming the constructing. Per the memorandum, he was one of many first six folks to have breached the Capitol by means of the doorways on the northwest aspect of the constructing. Schaffer was noticed sporting a tactical vest and a hat that learn “Oath Keepers Lifetime Member.” He was additionally carrying a can of bear spray.
The memorandum states that Schaffer’s participation was not random and that he had been aware of among the communications of Oath Keepers chief Elmer Stewart Rhodes III in regards to the march on Washington, D.C. to oppose the election outcomes.
However, the memorandum states that Schaffer was not concerned within the planning or coordination of the assault nor was he a part of the encrypted chats detailing the operation. He additionally didn’t enter the Capitol constructing with the Oath Keepers regardless of donning the group’s hat. Therefore, he was not charged as a part of the Oath Keepers conspiracy.
The memorandum additionally states that Schaffer was contained in the Capitol constructing for beneath 10 minutes and didn’t immediately inflict hurt on any officers or trigger any property injury throughout his entry into the constructing.
READ MORE: Ex-Iced Earth Vocalist Stu Block Has No Hate for Jon Schaffer
As a results of his actions upon coming into, his cooperation with legislation enforcement and the availability of credible info, the federal government opted to advocate the probationary interval for the musician.
In the aftermath of Schaffer’s participation within the Jan. 6 riot, the remaining members of Iced Earth all give up the band. At current, Schaffer stays the one present band member of the group.
Jon Schaffer’s Sentencing
While the federal government has made its suggestion, the official sentencing has but to happen. Last month, the sentencing was pushed again but once more for Schaffer and the present scheduled date to finalize the small print will happen on Oct. 25, 2024.
10 Times All But One Member of a Band Quit at Once
While band breakups are commonplace, and members being changed each every now and then is much more so, not so frequent is the very harsh actuality when everybody within the group decides to give up apart from a single member.
Gallery Credit: By Selena Fragassi