Judge sentences ‘QAnon Shaman’ in US Capitol to more than three years in prison

By Mark Hosenball and Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A federal judge has sentenced a 41-month prison sentence known to the U.S. Capitol mirror known as “QAnon Shaman” to 41 months in prison for the January 6 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s followers.

Prosecutor Royce Lamberth asked U.S. District Judge to impose a 51-month longer sentence on Jacob Chansley, who pleaded guilty in September to obstructing official proceedings when he and thousands of others attacked the building to prevent Congress from verifying President Joe Biden’s election. .

The sentence coincides with that imposed by a former martial artist filmed by Lamberth punching a police officer during the time of the violence, who was sentenced to 41 months in prison last week. Both are the harshest penalties imposed in 675 riot cases.

Lambert said Chansley, 34, did a lot to convince the court that he was “on the right track.”

Chansley’s lawyer asked the court for a full sentence for his client, who has been in custody since his arrest in January. Chansley appeared in front of the court in a dark green monkey in prison, his beard and head cut off.

“The hardest part of this is that I know I’m to blame,” Chansley said in a lengthy statement before being sentenced, describing a difficult childhood and saying he took responsibility for his behavior.

“I thought I would receive 20 years of incommunicado detention,” he said, adding, “This trauma has done something to me … I have white hair to prove it … to my chest … to my arms. … I wouldn’t have white hair as your honor.” “.

While in custody, Chansley prison officials diagnosed him with transient schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety. When he pleaded guilty, Chansley said he was disappointed that Trump had not apologized.

Trump was ousted by the House of Representatives and acquitted by the Senate on charges of inciting the January 6 uprising, he told his followers to “fight like hell” for a passionate speech.

Four people were killed in the violence. A Capitol policeman who was attacked by protesters was killed the day after the uprising and four police officers involved in the Capitol defense were killed. About 140 policemen were injured.

Most of the guilty allegations made so far in the Jan. 6 indictments have been in cases of nonviolent crimes, but government attorneys are seeking prison sentences for some of the defendants with more serious crimes.