Four Oath Keepers found guilty of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy
The verdict in the second of three seditious conspiracy cases charged in the Capitol breach comes after a jury in November found Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes guilty of plotting to keep President Donald Trump in power by force.
washingtonpost.com2nd Oath Keepers Jan. 6 sedition trial to get underway
They are charged with several other felonies in addition to seditious conspiracy. Seditious conspiracy can be difficult to prove, especially when the alleged plot is unsuccessful. Authorities say the plot came to a head on Jan. 6, 2021, when Oath Keepers stormed the Capitol alongside hundreds of other angry Trump supporters. Minuta later joined a second “stack” that forced its way inside as police desperately tried to defend the building, prosecutors say. Three other Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and agreed to cooperate with investigators in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence.
wftv.comOath Keepers head Rhodes on stand in Jan. 6 sedition trial
WASHINGTON — (AP) — Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes took the witness stand on Friday in his high-stakes seditious conspiracy trial as he tries to counter allegations that his far-right extremist group planned an armed rebellion to stop the transfer of presidential power. Rhodes began testifying after prosecutors spent weeks laying out their case against him and four others accused of a violent plot to keep Democrat Joe Biden out of the White House. Rhodes is expected to argue that his actions leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, were in anticipation of orders he expected from Trump, a Republican. On Jan. 6, 2021, Oath Keepers dressed in battle gear stormed the Capitol alongside hundreds of other angry Trump supporters. Rhodes and his co-defendants are the first people arrested in the Jan. 6 attack to stand trial on the charge of seditious conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years behind bars upon conviction.
wftv.comJan. 6 trial delayed after Oath Keepers' leader gets COVID
WASHINGTON — (AP) — The trial of a far-right extremist group leader and four associates charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was delayed on Monday after the Oath Keepers leader tested positive for the coronavirus. The judge told lawyers and jurors to return Tuesday morning but it's unclear when and how they will be able to proceed with the case. Rhodes' lawyers have said their client will take the stand to testify that all of his actions were in anticipation of orders he expected from Trump — orders that never came. Prosecutors have said Rhodes and his extremist group planned an “armed rebellion” to keep Trump in power. The disruption comes almost a week after a juror was dismissed after testing positive for COVID.
wftv.comJan. 6 trial delayed after Oath Keepers' leader gets COVID
The trial of a far-right extremist group leader and four associates charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was delayed on Monday after the Oath Keepers leader tested positive for the coronavirus. Jurors were supposed to begin hearing the fourth week of testimony in the case against Stewart Rhodes and four others accused of plotting to stop the transfer of power from Republican Donald Trump to Democrat Joe Biden. An attorney for Rhodes, Ed Tarpley, said he was told by jail officials that his client is in “total isolation” at the jail and wasn't even available for a phone call.
news.yahoo.comTrial: Trump tweet about 'wild' protest energized extremists
“He wants us to make it WILD,” Kelly Meggs, an Oath Keepers leader from Dunnellon, Florida, wrote in a message to other group members. !”Trump’s words appeared to energize Oath Keepers members. Oath Keepers founder and national leader Stewart Rhodes responded on Dec. 25, 2020, that he disagreed with that assessment. Defense lawyers have accused prosecutors of cherry-picking messages and have said there is no evidence the Oath Keepers had a plan to attack the Capitol. Thursday's testimony for the Oath Keepers trial focused on members of the group's Florida contingent and their communications in the days leading up to the riot.
wftv.comThe Oath Keepers' Capitol riot trial, explained
On trial is extremist leader Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers extremist group, and four associates. Here is a look at what's to come:WHO ARE THE OATH KEEPERS? They have been charged with seditious conspiracy in one of the most high profile cases to come out of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. The Oath Keepers, for their part, say prosecutors have twisted their words and insist there was never any plan to attack the Capitol. The seditious conspiracy law was enacted after the Civil War to arrest Southerners who might keep fighting the U.S. government.
wftv.comFlorida man conspired with Central Florida Oath Keepers ahead of Jan. 6 Capitol riots, FBI says
A man from Southwest Florida is accused of taking part in the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. and conspiring with other members of the Oath Keepers from Central Florida head of the attacks, according to the FBI.
Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol: Planned online, broadcast online
On Saturday, Nov. 7th Dunnellon resident Kelly Meggs posted a video of himself in front of the traveling Vietnam Veterans War Memorial discussing the importance of history and freedom. He has pled not guilty to all charges but remains behind bars. Curzio was subsequently arrested and charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, along with three other charges. In fact, the FBI has an entire webpage dedicated to the videos, many taken by the insurrectionists themselves, to help track down suspects. “People need to share what they’re doing and when they share it they get likes,” says Dr. Chakravorti.
wftv.comFeds: Oath Keeper coordinated with Proud Boys before riot
Several members of the Proud Boys, who describe themselves as a politically incorrect men’s club for “Western chauvinists,” have also been charged with conspiring to obstruct Congress. AdOn Dec. 19, Meggs wrote in a Facebook message that he “organized an alliance" between the Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and Florida Three Percenters, an anti-government movement. Days later, Meggs wrote that the Oath Keepers would probably be guarding someone during the day, “but at night we have orchestrated a plan" with the Proud Boys. Then we will have the proud boys get in front of them the cops will get between antifa and proud boys. Ad“Then wait for the 6th when we are all in DC to insurrection,” Meggs wrote, authorities say.
Evidence shows Florida man planned Capitol siege, prosecutors say
“Well we are ready for the rioters , this week I organized an alliance between Oath Keepers , Florida 3%ers [sic] , and Proud Boys . !” and also showed the man discussing tactics involving the Proud Boys, according to prosecutors. We catch them in the middle ..game over”AdKenneth Harrelson and other Oath Keepers seen inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Then we will have proud boys get in front of them the cops will get between antifa and proud boys . Following the riot at the Capitol, prosecutors said in their brief that Meggs wrote in an online Signal chat, “We aren’t quitting!!
10 Oath Keepers indicted in Capitol conspiracy case, government says more could be added
Federal prosecutors have added another member of the Oath Keepers militia group to an indictment alleging conspiracy in the Capitol Riot. So far, at least 13 individuals associated with the Oath Keepers have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Of those indicted, at least five are former military members and one is a former law enforcement officer. Kelly Meggs, the self-described leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, allegedly arranged combat and firearms training for himself and others in Florida. Illegal activity can also be reported to law enforcement at MeWe's discretion, and law enforcement can follow procedures in our terms to request information from us."
cbsnews.comMarion County couple accused of plotting with Oath Keepers during Capitol riot denied bail
Oath Keepers seen inside the Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the FBI. AdPictures and videos linked in the 43-page affidavit show all four both inside and outside the Capitol wearing camouflage, tactical vests and helmets. Kelly and Connie Meggs (Courtesy)Kelly Meggs, who authorities say is the leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, wrote in a Facebook message in December 2020: “Trump said It’s gonna be wild!!!!!!! AdSeveral Floridians have been arrested in connection with the attack at the Capitol, including a Sanford firefighter and a Proud Boys organizer from Marion County. Anyone with information about someone who was involved in the riot can find details on how to report them here.
9 Oath Keepers indicted for conspiracy, including 7 members of the tactical "stack" seen entering Capitol in combat gear
Federal prosecutors indicted six members of the Oath Keepers militia, who the government added as co-defendants to an existing indictment for three alleged Oath Keepers. The Oath Keepers are a loosely-organized collection of militia, prosecutors say, which focus on recruiting current and former military, law enforcement and first-responders. The email also said, "As always, while conducting security operations, we will have some of our men out in 'grey man' mode, without identifiable Oath Keepers gear on. Kelly Meggs, the self-described leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, allegedly arranged combat and firearms training for himself and others in Florida. Steele sent a five-page document that appeared to be an online application to the Oath Keepers of Florida on January 3, prosecutors said.
cbsnews.comOath Keepers boss told followers before Capitol riot that Trump 'wants us to make it WILD,' court document says
"He wants us to make it WILD that's what he's saying," Oath Keepers chief Kelly Meggs wrote in a Facebook message. That message is detailed in a new superseding indictment charging him and five other Oath Keepers associates with crimes related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by thousands of Trump supporters. !," Meggs wrote, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, which accuses the defendants of invading the Capitol complex. Be there, will be wild," wrote Trump. Members of the Oath Keepers provide security to Roger Stone at a rally the night before groups attacked the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 5, 2021.
cnbc.com9 Oath Keepers indicted for conspiracy, including 7 members of the tactical "stack" seen entering Capitol in combat gear
Federal prosecutors indicted six members of the Oath Keepers militia, who the government added as co-defendants to an existing indictment for three alleged Oath Keepers. The Oath Keepers are a loosely-organized collection of militia, prosecutors say, which focus on recruiting current and former military, law enforcement and first-responders. The email also said, "As always, while conducting security operations, we will have some of our men out in 'grey man' mode, without identifiable Oath Keepers gear on. Kelly Meggs, the self-described leader of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, allegedly arranged combat and firearms training for himself and others in Florida. Steele sent a five-page document that appeared to be an online application to the Oath Keepers of Florida on January 3, prosecutors said.
cbsnews.com6 more linked to Oath Keepers charged in Capitol attack
People charged in the attack on the U.S. Capitol left behind a trove of videos and messages that have helped federal authorities build cases. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)COLUMBUS, Ohio – Six more people linked to the far-right Oath Keepers militia group have been indicted on charges that they planned and coordinated with one another in the attack on the U.S. Capitol, authorities said Friday. The case against those affiliated with the Oath Keepers is the largest conspiracy case brought by the U.S. Justice Department so far in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Authorities say the defendants prepared for weeks ahead of the attack, attended training sessions and recruited others. Later that month, authorities say Young reached out to a company that does firearms and combat training about a rifle class for four people, according to the indictment.