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BumRushDaShow

(127,310 posts)
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:05 PM May 2023

Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 18 years in Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy case

Last edited Thu May 25, 2023, 04:58 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: NBC News

WASHINGTON — The founder of the far-right Oath Keepers has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol following his conviction on seditious conspiracy. The sentence for Stewart Rhodes is the longest imposed on a Jan. 6 defendant to date.

In a politically-charged speech in the courtroom just before his sentencing, he called himself a "political prisoner" and said that when he talked about "regime change" in a phone call with supporters earlier this week, he meant he hopes that former President Donald Trump will win in 2024. The judge disagreed that Rhodes had been locked up for politics, saying it was his actions that led to his criminal convictions. “You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and to the republic and to the very fabric of this democracy," Judge Amit Mehta said before handing down the sentence.

Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November along with Kelly Meggs, a fellow Oath Keepers member. "They won't fear us until we come with rifles in hand," Rhodes wrote in a message ahead of the Jan. 6 attack. After the attack, in a recording that was played in court during his trial, he said his only regret was that they “should have brought rifles.”

Wearing an orange prison jumpsuit Thursday, Rhodes said he believes the only crime he committed was opposing those who are “destroying our country.” Mehta told Rhodes that he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy “not because of your beliefs, not because you supported the other guy, not because Joe Biden is president right now,” but because of the facts of the case, and his actions before, during and after Jan. 6. “You are not a political prisoner, Mr. Rhodes,” he said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/oath-keepers-founder-sentenced-18-years-jan-6-seditious-conspiracy-cas-rcna85852



Article updated.

Previous articles -

WASHINGTON -- The founder of the far-right Oath Keepers has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol following his conviction on seditious conspiracy.

The sentence for Stewart Rhodes is the longest imposed on a Jan. 6 defendant to date. In a politically-charged speech in the courtroom just before his sentencing, Rhodes called himself a "political prisoner" and said that when he talked about "regime change" in a phone call with supporters earlier this week, he meant he hopes that former President Donald Trump will win in 2024.

The judge disagreed that Rhodes had been locked up for politics, saying it was his actions that led to his criminal convictions. "You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and to the republic and to the very fabric of this democracy," Judge Amit Mehta said before handing down the sentence.

Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November along with Kelly Meggs, a fellow Oath Keepers member who will be sentenced later Thursday afternoon. "They won't fear us until we come with rifles in hand," Rhodes wrote in a message ahead of the Jan. 6 attack. After the attack, in a recording that was played in court during his trial, he said his only regret was that they "should have brought rifles."



WASHINGTON -- The founder of the far-right Oath Keepers has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol following his conviction on seditious conspiracy. The sentence for Stewart Rhodes is the longest imposed on a Jan. 6 defendant to date. "You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and to the republic and to the very fabric of this democracy," Judge Amit Mehta said before handing down the sentence.

Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November along with Kelly Meggs, a fellow Oath Keepers member who will be sentenced later Thursday afternoon. "They won't fear us until we come with rifles in hand," Rhodes wrote in a message ahead of the Jan. 6 attack. After the attack, in a recording that was played in court during his trial, he said his only regret was that they "should have brought rifles."

When given the chance to speak before sentencing, Rhodes, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, called himself a "political prisoner" and said he believes the only crime he committed was opposing those who are "destroying our country." He added that he hopes former President Donald Trump wins in 2024.

Mehta told Rhodes that he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy "not because of your beliefs, not because you supported the other guy, not because Joe Biden is president right now," but because of the facts of the case, and his actions before, during and after Jan. 6. "You are not a political prisoner, Mr. Rhodes," Mehta said.



Original article -

WASHINGTON -- The founder of the far-right Oath Keepers has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol following his conviction on seditious conspiracy.

The sentence for Stewart Rhodes is the longest imposed on a Jan. 6 defendant to date. "You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and to the republic and to the very fabric of this democracy," Judge Amit Mehta said before handing down the sentence. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November along with Kelly Meggs, a fellow Oath Keepers member who will be sentenced later Thursday afternoon.

"They won't fear us until we come with rifles in hand," Rhodes wrote in a message ahead of the Jan. 6 attack. After the attack, in a recording that was played in court during his trial, he said his only regret was that they "should have brought rifles."

Rhodes and Meggs were put on trial alongside Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson and Thomas Caldwell, fellow Oath Keepers who were convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, but not seditious conspiracy. Watkins and Harrelson will be sentenced on Friday.
64 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 18 years in Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy case (Original Post) BumRushDaShow May 2023 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author JohnSJ May 2023 #1
Sounds like Elmer will be glued to his jail cell peppertree May 2023 #2
I hope so, without any internet privileges JohnSJ May 2023 #3
Barring an Orange pardon, of course peppertree May 2023 #4
He's currently 58. lamp_shade May 2023 #5
I thought he was 66. Thanks. I will self-delete JohnSJ May 2023 #8
Well Elmer is 57 years old and if this is federal sentence he will have to do at least 80% of .... Botany May 2023 #6
And we all know old Elmer isn't going to be a model prisoner obamanut2012 May 2023 #14
How can he be prevented from indoctrinating young prisoners OhNo-Really May 2023 #30
By sending him to a super max. Uncle_Remus May 2023 #56
Is this what will happen? OhNo-Really May 2023 #57
Young enough to continue being a threat. LoisB May 2023 #18
Good Bayard May 2023 #7
Amen, Bayard! Scottie Mom May 2023 #15
Heck YES! Duppers May 2023 #37
Hoping Тяцмp gets more than 18 years for seditious conspiracy. KS Toronado May 2023 #40
50 for the Con, & hoping he'll die in prison onetexan May 2023 #55
Sedition is just not the best form of advertising one's patriotism. Torchlight May 2023 #9
WaPo mahatmakanejeeves May 2023 #10
"womp womp" nt orleans May 2023 #11
Still on the low end. Hassin Bin Sober May 2023 #12
Yes. LoisB May 2023 #19
18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy Beastly Boy May 2023 #23
Terrorism enhancement Hassin Bin Sober May 2023 #43
Agreed...that asshat tried to overthrow the Government for his Furher Bengus81 May 2023 #26
This should get the attention of every treasonous magat C_U_L8R May 2023 #13
EXCELLENT. ancianita May 2023 #16
I was close BumRushDaShow May 2023 #17
You were! ancianita May 2023 #20
Adios, fuckface. (nt) Paladin May 2023 #21
how about the rest of em get 18 years. AllaN01Bear May 2023 #22
What's really stupid about these idiots is SouthernDem4ever May 2023 #49
Rhodes :".... said his only regret was that they "should have brought rifles." riversedge May 2023 #24
Hope the traitors in the House and Senate Marthe48 May 2023 #25
I would recommend Traildogbob May 2023 #27
Bet his ex wife is happy as hell that his AZZZ won't see the light of day for 18 years Bengus81 May 2023 #28
He was brutal to his wife and kids. I hope they can all live in safety now. nt Hekate May 2023 #33
He probably won't be allowed on the intramural prison trap and skeet team Kennah May 2023 #29
That means the Orange Turd nowforever May 2023 #31
Special Counsel is on the case Hekate May 2023 #34
I don't know why it's so hard to label TFG a seditionist. forgotmylogin May 2023 #42
Now get the leader of the whole damn cult liberal N proud May 2023 #32
Let's not say he'll look "good" in orange.... lastlib May 2023 #41
My bad liberal N proud May 2023 #46
YAAAAAAYYYYY!!! calimary May 2023 #35
No. Bury him at GITMO. F...... terrorist. kairos12 May 2023 #36
Bye, Stewie. LudwigPastorius May 2023 #38
Buh bye, dickhead. DJ Porkchop May 2023 #39
Mark Meadows Flipping on Donald Trump Is 'Game Over'--Legal Expert Botany May 2023 #45
Dayum! 3catwoman3 May 2023 #44
Bam! Good! "Enjoy" the clink! electric_blue68 May 2023 #47
Another trump voter SouthernDem4ever May 2023 #48
The Garland DOJ's sentencing memo for convicted Oath Keepers, page 183 ancianita May 2023 #50
"page 183" BumRushDaShow May 2023 #51
To save reading. ancianita May 2023 #54
Thank you! Rhiannon12866 May 2023 #59
As unrepentant as that motherfucker is, I'd like to have seen the recommended 25 years Novara May 2023 #52
sounds about right. republianmushroom May 2023 #53
Bye bye Oath Traitor. OneCrazyDiamond May 2023 #58
Will he be in adseg, or free to recruit and wreak havoc in genpop? niyad May 2023 #60
Another "stable genius" orangecrush May 2023 #61
How will this racist prick be received by the general population RainCaster May 2023 #62
Message auto-removed Name removed May 2023 #63
Did he own a Red Ryder BB gun? twodogsbarking May 2023 #64

Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Botany

(70,291 posts)
6. Well Elmer is 57 years old and if this is federal sentence he will have to do at least 80% of ....
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:10 PM
May 2023

.... that time. 57 + 14.4 years = 71.4 years old.

Torchlight

(3,235 posts)
9. Sedition is just not the best form of advertising one's patriotism.
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:12 PM
May 2023

There are far better methods, Mr. Rhodes. Take a look at Pres. Carter's career as well as his retirement for constructive ideas.

mahatmakanejeeves

(56,897 posts)
10. WaPo
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:18 PM
May 2023

They updated a preliminary story from 6:00 a.m.

LEGAL ISSUES

Oath Keepers leader Rhodes sentenced to 18 years for Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy

Stewart Rhodes and others are set to receive the first punishments for far-right extremist group members convicted of seditious conspiracy

By Spencer S. Hsu, Tom Jackman and Rachel Weiner
Updated May 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. EDT | Published May 25, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

{snip}

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,272 posts)
12. Still on the low end.
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:25 PM
May 2023

The government was asking for 25 which was the middle.

From what I’ve read, 21 was the low end.

Judges keep sending messages that these clowns will get the lightest touch when they should be doing the exact opposite.

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
26. Agreed...that asshat tried to overthrow the Government for his Furher
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:03 PM
May 2023

This wasn't some candy ass crime. He should have got the absolute MAX.

C_U_L8R

(44,894 posts)
13. This should get the attention of every treasonous magat
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:27 PM
May 2023

"You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country, the republic and the very fabric of democracy."

BumRushDaShow

(127,310 posts)
17. I was close
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:32 PM
May 2023

I figured it wouldn't be the recommended "25 years" but would be closer to "20 years".

However when it comes time for Tarrio (and the Proud Boys), I expect his will be less, but still substantial since he wasn't physically there.

ancianita

(35,812 posts)
20. You were!
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:35 PM
May 2023

I'm a believer.

I'll gladly wait for the full extent of the law to probably be appropriately applied at Trump's sentencing.

SouthernDem4ever

(6,464 posts)
49. What's really stupid about these idiots is
Thu May 25, 2023, 04:59 PM
May 2023

they love fascism, yet in the days of fascism, they would have been beheaded for their crimes against their nation. Democracy is the only reason they still have their lives.

riversedge

(69,723 posts)
24. Rhodes :".... said his only regret was that they "should have brought rifles."
Thu May 25, 2023, 01:50 PM
May 2023

Well, big mouth, you will have years to think about what you said.



.........Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy in November along with Kelly Meggs, a fellow Oath Keepers member who will be sentenced later Thursday afternoon. "They won't fear us until we come with rifles in hand," Rhodes wrote in a message ahead of the Jan. 6 attack. After the attack, in a recording that was played in court during his trial, he said his only regret was that they “should have brought rifles.”

When given the chance to speak before sentencing, Rhodes, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, called himself a "political prisoner" and said he believes the only crime he committed was opposing those who are “destroying our country.” He added that he hopes former President Donald Trump wins in 2024.


Mehta told Rhodes that he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy “not because of your beliefs, not because you supported the other guy, not because Joe Biden is president right now,” but because of the facts of the case, and his actions before, during and after Jan. 6. “You are not a political prisoner, Mr. Rhodes,” Mehta said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/oath-keepers-founder-sentenced-18-years-jan-6-seditious-conspiracy-cas-rcna85852

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
25. Hope the traitors in the House and Senate
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:00 PM
May 2023

are scared to death.

I hope I live to see the day all of the traitors are arrested, tried, found guilty and get sentences like this.

Traildogbob

(8,576 posts)
27. I would recommend
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:07 PM
May 2023

He sleep with one eye open for the whole sentence. Is he a tenor or alto? This is gonna be the largest choir in history. When is the next number one single coming out?

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
28. Bet his ex wife is happy as hell that his AZZZ won't see the light of day for 18 years
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:09 PM
May 2023

I've seen a couple of statements she's made about her former "husband".

nowforever

(291 posts)
31. That means the Orange Turd
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:18 PM
May 2023

Should get 25 years. Garland wake up and show us something. If someone tells another person to set fire and it kills people, the person who instructed the firesetter is charged with homicide.

forgotmylogin

(7,496 posts)
42. I don't know why it's so hard to label TFG a seditionist.
Thu May 25, 2023, 03:34 PM
May 2023

It's been repeatedly proven he's tried to assume government office through machinations other than being duly elected, and maintains he will continue these behaviors.

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
41. Let's not say he'll look "good" in orange....
Thu May 25, 2023, 03:16 PM
May 2023

Let's just say he'll look his best. He will still look like shit, because he IS shit.

calimary

(80,699 posts)
35. YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!
Thu May 25, 2023, 02:37 PM
May 2023

Bastard still got off too easy. He should be down-on-his/knees grateful that I wasn’t the presiding judge in his case. He’d never see the outside of a jail cell again.

Botany

(70,291 posts)
45. Mark Meadows Flipping on Donald Trump Is 'Game Over'--Legal Expert
Thu May 25, 2023, 04:08 PM
May 2023

Last edited Fri May 26, 2023, 08:38 AM - Edit history (1)

(This is all speculation @ this point but Jack Smith flat out "has the goods" on Meadows.
But Meadows has to be asking himself if he wants to die in prison for Trump. see story
@ the bottom of my post)


Donald Trump would be in serious legal trouble if speculation that his former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, is co-operating with Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation turned out to be correct, a legal expert has said.

Former Defense Department special counsel Ryan Goodman was reacting to a CNN report on how Meadows is continuing to work his influence in Washington D.C., including by advising GOP lawmakers on the ongoing debt-ceiling negotiation.

The report adds that Meadows is no longer in communication with the former president, even though he is considered a key figure in Smith's criminal probe into Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

snip

Meadows was with Trump on January 6 as the insurrection was unfolding and he was said to be a key figure in the post-2020 election events.

Meadows was also said to have been in direct communication with organizers of "stop the steal" protest, which took place in D.C. on January 6 in 2021, prior to the riot.

https://www.newsweek.com/mark-meadows-trump-special-counsel-jan6-1802571

*******

Meadows burned papers after meeting with Scott Perry, Jan. 6 panel told

The unusual move came after a meeting between then-President Donald Trump’s then-chief of staff and the Pennsylvania Republican, according to recent testimony.

Then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows burned papers in his office after meeting with a House Republican who was working to challenge the 2020 election, according to testimony the Jan. 6 select committee has heard from one of his former aides.

Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked under Meadows when he was former President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, told the panel investigating the Capitol attack that she saw Meadows incinerate documents after a meeting in his office with Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.). A person familiar with the testimony described it on condition of anonymity.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/26/meadows-burned-papers-meeting-scott-perry-00035411

ancianita

(35,812 posts)
50. The Garland DOJ's sentencing memo for convicted Oath Keepers, page 183
Thu May 25, 2023, 05:18 PM
May 2023
VII. CONCLUSION

For the reasons set forth above, the government recommends that the Court impose a lengthy sentence of imprisonment on each defendant. Specifically, Stewart Rhodes should serve 25 years in prison; Kelly Meggs, 21 years; Jessica Watkins, 18 years; Roberto Minuta, 17 years; Edward Vallejo, 17 years; Kenneth Harrelson, 15 years; Thomas Caldwell, 14 years; Joseph Hackett, 12 years; and David Moerschel, 10 years.

Respectfully submitted,

MATTHEW M. GRAVES United States Attorney D.C. Bar No. 481052

By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Nestler
Assistant United States Attorney D.C. Bar No. 978296
Troy A. Edwards, Jr.
Alexandra Hughes
Louis Manzo
Kathryn Rakoczy
Assistant United States Attorneys
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia 601 D Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20530


https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/23801119/rhodesetalsentmem050523.pdf

BumRushDaShow

(127,310 posts)
51. "page 183"
Thu May 25, 2023, 05:32 PM
May 2023

LOL

Thanks for posting! And there is Matthew Graves. Busiest guy in D.C.

I think there is a statutory limit of 20 years for "seditious conspiracy". But the "extra time" over the 20 years guideline would be through an "enhancement" ( "administration of justice" ), to tack on the additional time.

ancianita

(35,812 posts)
54. To save reading.
Thu May 25, 2023, 08:01 PM
May 2023


Yep, Matt Graves is The Man in the Criminal Division. I think I read in a recent report on the sentencing that he did add a terrorism enhancement in the memo. Checking page one, the 183 pages seem like a good read, but I'm not especially interested in digging to find out. I prefer reading my new Stacey Abrams novel.

Rhiannon12866

(202,979 posts)
59. Thank you!
Fri May 26, 2023, 01:54 AM
May 2023

A spokesman on MSNBC earlier tonight said that 18 years wasn't nearly enough for Rhodes, that the penalty for sedition has previously been death...

republianmushroom

(13,056 posts)
53. sounds about right.
Thu May 25, 2023, 07:26 PM
May 2023

now for the elected representatives who supported this insurrection, how about 10 years minimum.

RainCaster

(10,682 posts)
62. How will this racist prick be received by the general population
Fri May 26, 2023, 10:36 AM
May 2023

In his prison? He may find that his ideas are not welcome by the many minority groups present there.

Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

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