Four Oath Keeper members convicted for roles in US Capitol attack
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Oath Keeper associates Sandra Ruth Parker, Laura Steele, Connie Meggs, and William Isaacs were found guilty of a charge that can carry up to 20 years in prison.
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Supporters of US President Donald Trump climbing a wall during a protest against the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, US, January 6, 2021 (Reuters)
Four associates of the far-right Oath Keeper group were convicted for their roles in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The Washington jury remained standstill on some serious charges for two other defendants who did not even enter the building during the riots.
Oath Keeper associates Sandra Ruth Parker, Laura Steele, Connie Meggs, and William Isaacs were found guilty of a charge which can carry up to 20 years in prison.
The other two who did not enter the Capitol building, Michael Greene and Bennie Parker, were acquitted on the most serious felony charges, even though the jury remained standstill on one outstanding felony count per person.
Read more: Capitol riots; one of the largest investigations ever
US District Judge Amit Mehta asked the jury to go back and continue deliberating on the two remaining counts.
The third major trial against the members of the extremist group ended. The convicted members took part in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Democratic President Joe Biden's November 2020 election win.
Ex-President Trump fired up the crowd on January 6 when he made false claims that his defeat took place due to widespread fraud. He continues to voice these complaints, which were rejected by several courts, and he announced his nomination to run in the 2024 elections.
The militia group, the Oath Keeper, was founded by Stewart Rhodes in 2009. Its members consist of retired US military personnel, law enforcement officers, and first responders.
The riots on January 6 resulted in four deaths. Five police officers also died in the days and weeks after the riots. Members of Congress ran for their lives when the building was being breached.
Rhodes and the group's Florida chapter leader, Kelly Meggs, were convicted in November for plotting to use force during the attack on the US Capitol.
Read more: 'Oath Keepers' member pleads guilty to Jan 6-linked charges
In January, four other members were convicted with charges including seditious conspiracy.
Criminal charges against more than 1,000 people were made following the riot.
