A participant in the January 6 riot, Jon Ryan Schaffer, is set to face imprisonment after pleading guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding. This comes even as prosecutors navigate a recent Supreme Court decision that limited the application of this charge.
Schaffer is scheduled for sentencing on October 25, where he will likely endorse a new statement from the prosecution.
The revision asserts that Schaffer aimed to disrupt the certification process by targeting all elements involved, particularly the integrity and availability of records related to the proceedings, including ballot certificates.
A founding member of the Oath Keepers, Schaffer was part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, interrupting Congress as it counted Electoral College votes confirming Joe Biden’s election.
Mihoko Owada/STRMX via ASSOCIATED PRESS
In June, the Supreme Court clarified that the obstruction charge requires an attempt to impair a physical document in such proceedings. This decision led to the dismissal of charges against former police officer Joseph Fischer.
Over 1,200 individuals have been implicated in the riot, with more than 300 facing obstruction charges, and over 150 have been convicted or pleaded guilty.
Attorney General Merrick Garland described the Justice Department’s investigation into the incident as one of the largest and most complex in U.S. history.
In addition to obstruction, Schaffer also expressed guilt for entering restricted areas while armed with bear repellent, highlighting his presence at the “Stop the Steal” rally where he wore a tactical vest.
As a result, Schaffer now faces a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison.