Two Oath Keepers convicted of sedition in US Capitol attack sentenced to prison

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Thu Jun 1, 2023, 09:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - Two more members of the far-right Oath Keepers militant group were given multi-year prison sentences on Thursday for seditious conspiracy and other crimes arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by then-President Donald Trump's supporters.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Roberto Minuta to 4-1/2 years in prison and Edward Vallejo to three years in prison following their convictions by a jury in January - far less than the 17-year sentences the prosecution had recommended. Both were sentenced one week after Mehta gave Stewart Rhodes, the group's founder, 18 years in prison following his November conviction for seditious conspiracy - a felony charge involving attempts "to overthrow, put down or to destroy by force the government of the United States" - and other crimes.

Vallejo addressed Mehta before his sentencing, expressing remorse for his actions and, through tears, begged the judge to let him serve his sentence in home confinement rather than prison. "I wish with all my soul I had never went. I greatly regret all of the foolish statements I made there," Vallejo said. "I wish I had never associated myself with Stewart Rhodes," Vallejo added.

Vallejo was not at the Capitol on the day of the attack. Prosecutors said he stayed at a suburban Virginia hotel where the Oath Keepers had staged a "quick reaction force" and stashed firearms to be quickly ferried into Washington if needed. Mehta said he decided to give Vallejo a lower sentence than prosecutors had sought for reasons including his age - 64 - the remorse he has expressed and because he did not enter the Capitol or harm law enforcement officers. Mehta also ordered Vallejo to serve a year of home confinement after his prison term during a three-year period of supervised release.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/more-oath-keepers-convicted-sedition-us-capitol-attack-face-sentencing-2023-06-01/

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Roberto Minuta with Roger Stone



Article updated.

Original article/headline -

Oath Keeper convicted of sedition in US Capitol attack sentenced to 4.5 years

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - Far-right Oath Keepers militant group member Roberto Minuta was sentenced to four and a half years in prison on Thursday after he was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by then-President Donald Trump's supporters.

"You can feel a way about a government and about the way it's treating its citizens without resorting to violence," U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said. "That is why you find yourself where you are today." Minuta's sentencing comes just one week after Mehta sentenced Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes to 18 years in prison following his November conviction for seditious conspiracy and other charges.

Rhodes received the longest prison term handed down to any of the 1,000-plus people charged in the attack that was intended to block Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's election victory over Republican Trump. Mehta is due to sentence Minuta's co-defendant Edward Vallejo at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Minuta, who provided a security detail to Trump ally Roger Stone during political rallies on the day of the attack, entered the Capitol with other Oath Keepers and, according to prosecutors, pushed past police officers while screaming obscene language.

[underpants]

1. Good.

[RussBLib]

2. another dumb ass off the street

Let's just hope Trumpism is removed from the body politic before this vermin gets out of jail.

[Novara]

3. Maybe I'm weird, but

4.5 years sounds paltry for a violent attempt to overthrow one's government.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I think he just "played body guard"

and drove around with Stone in golf carts.

[moniss]

7. Right you are

and none of these sentences have been enough. Even Rhodes 18 years as the leader isn't enough. It should have been the max. It should be the max on all of these. Many officers injured and deaths resulted because these people took these actions. Look at that idiot "shaman" who is out now and spouting more of his BS. The sentences should be the max.

[rurallib]

8. you re not weird - I think every one of them should get the max

10 years minimum

[IronLionZion]

4. A lot of RWers are being sentenced for crimes committed by Antifa dressed up as MAGA

Deep State obviously let Antifa get away with it.

[peppertree]

5. Fun fact: Minutas, in Spanish, are snacks - but also legal bills

And Roberto has certainly had a lot of both.

[rurallib]

9. Bet this dumb ass thought he should have gotten a medal

[vlyons]

10. Only 4 1/2 years for sedicious conspiracy?

Gee I thought seditious conspiracy was a REALLY SERIOUS CRIME! Guess not so serious with that judge. Max penalty is fine and/or 20 yrs. He should have gotten at least 10 yrs.

[Mickju]

11. I couldn't agree more!

These sentences are pathetic.

[The Grand Illuminist]

12. No US attorney has the guts to....

try them for constitutional treason. It is a darn shame.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. There's a distinction between "sedition" and "treason"

and for this group, the "sedition" charge probably had the best supporting evidence to get a conviction.

Good article describing the differences - https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2021/01/treason-sedition-and-insurrection-whats-the-difference/

[ck4829]

14. Kick