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‘QAnon Shaman’ pleads guilty over part in US Capitol riot

Jacob Chansley was among the first people to storm the building following Donald Trump’s rally in Washington DC on 6 January.

In a federal court in the city, he pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing an official proceeding and faces between 41 and 51 months in prison, having already served eight.

a person posing for the camera: Chansley has pleaded guilty to a felony charge. Pic: AP/Alexandria Sheriff's Office© Associated Press Chansley has pleaded guilty to a felony charge. Pic: AP/Alexandria Sheriff’s Office

The self-styled ‘shaman’ has asked to be released from jail before he is sentenced in November.

Images of him bare-chested, wearing a pair of horns, with his face painted in the colours of the American flag were shared across the globe following the riots.

a group of people standing in front of a crowd: Chansley has referred to himself as the 'QAnon Shaman'. Pic: AP© Associated Press Chansley has referred to himself as the ‘QAnon Shaman’. Pic: AP

He was captured shouting into a bullhorn, referring to then-vice president Mike Pence as a “traitor” as he ran inside the Capitol building.

Chansley, who was one of around 600 charged over the insurrection, wrote a note to Mr Pence saying: “It’s only a matter of time, justice is coming.”

Two months before the Capitol was breached, he had appeared in costume carrying a QAnon sign at another protest and had long been a fixture at Trump rallies.

But Chansley, of Phoenix, Arizona, now says he has rejected the QAnon movement completely, with his lawyer describing him as “horrendously smitten” with Mr Trump.

The lawyer claims that during his first month in jail he re-evaluated his life and expressed deep regret for having taken part in the riot.

He argues that the spear he was carrying was an “ornament” and that he was among the third wave of protesters to enter the Capitol building.

Around 600 people have been charged with offences related to the riots© Reuters Around 600 people have been charged with offences related to the riots

But US district judge Royce Lamberth did not appear convinced and said that Chansley “quite literally spearheaded” the rush into the building.

Judge Lamberth found the defendant to be mentally competent after he spent time being assessed at a facility in Colorado.

He will sentence him on 17 November.

Only one other person who has been found guilty of their part in the riots has received their punishment so far.

Paul Hodgkins, of Florida, was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting the same charge.

Five people died as a result of the attack on the Capitol, which triggered an impeachment trial of Mr Trump.

Source: News.sky.com

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