Four more Oath Keepers sentenced for Seditious Conspiracy for their parts in Capitol Riot
Four members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced on June 2 on seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
- Roberto Minuta, 39, of Prosper, Texas, was sentenced June 1 to 54 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.
- Edward Vallejo, 64, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on June 1 to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release, including the first 12 months to be served on home confinement.
- David Moerschel, Punta Gorda, Florida, was sentenced on June 2 to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.
- Joseph Hackett, 53, of Sarasota, Florida, was sentenced on June 2 to 42 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.
The four defendants were found guilty of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent Members of Congress from discharging their official duties on January. 23, following a seven-week trial. Hackett was also found guilty of destruction of evidence.
According to the evidence, in the months leading up to January 6, the defendants and their co-conspirators plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, including by amassing an armed “quick reaction force” on the outskirts of the District of Columbia. Beginning in late December 2020, via encrypted and private communications applications, the defendants and various co-conspirators coordinated and planned to travel to Washington, D.C., on or around January 6, 2021, the date of the certification of the electoral college vote.
Also see: Oath Keepers’ leaders sentenced to prison for Capitol Breach: Rhodes gets 18 years, Meggs got 12
The defendants made plans to bring weapons to the area to support the operation. The co-conspirators then traveled across the country to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in early January 2021, with paramilitary gear and supplies including firearms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, and radio equipment.
The defendants conspired through a variety of manners and means, including:
- organizing into teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C.;
- recruiting members and affiliates to participate in the conspiracy;
- organizing trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics;
- bringing and contributing paramilitary gear, weapons, and supplies – including knives, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection and radio equipment – to the Capitol grounds;
- breaching and attempting to take control of the Capitol grounds and building on Janury 6, 2021, in an effort to prevent, hinder and delay the certification of the electoral college vote;
- using force against law enforcement officers while inside the Capitol on January 6, 2021;
- continuing to plot, after January 6, 2021, to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power and using websites, social media, text messaging and encrypted messaging applications to communicate with co-conspirators and others.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security and Criminal Divisions.
In the 28 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
(Source: Department of Justice) / (Cover photo, Image credit: Twitter)
Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
