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10 Oath Keepers members plead not guilty to sedition

2022-01-25T19:39:21.687Z


Ten Oath Keepers members, including leader Stewart Rhodes, have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the US Capitol storming.


The role of the Oath Keepers in the assault on the Capitol 3:43

(CNN) --

Ten members of the Oath Keepers, including leader Stewart Rhodes, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to new charges, including seditious conspiracy, related to the storming of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Another defendant, Edward Vallejo, was not present at the hearing and did not formally issue a statement.

The Justice Department released the indictment against the 11 Oath Keepers charged with sedition in early January, though most already faced other charges.

The indictment alleges that the far-right group recruited members, stocked up on weapons and organized to disrupt congressional certification of the 2020 election and keep then-President Donald Trump in power.

  • Oath Keepers Leader and 10 Others Charged with "Seditious Conspiracy" in Connection to Capitol Assault

The members charged with seditious conspiracy -- Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins, Joshua James, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, Brian Ulrich, Thomas Caldwell and Vallejo -- would tentatively go to trial in July.

Prosecutors revealed during the hearing that there are "ongoing discussions" with defense attorneys about whether the seditious conspiracy charges would lead to possible plea deals.

Rhodes, according to the indictment, told his supporters, "We're not going to take this without a civil war. Too late for that. Prepare your mind, body and spirit," in a Nov. 5, 2020 Signal message. December, Rhodes reportedly again warned the group that "there is no standard political or legal way out of this."

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Oath Keepers from across the country, according to prosecutors, began planning the violence in the city of Washington.

One member, Caldwell, claimed to have made a reconnaissance trip to the capital before January 6.

Others, including Vallejo, hid weapons in a Virginia hotel as part of a rapid reaction force.

On Jan. 6, prosecutors say the Oath Keepers split up: some at the Capitol, others providing security, and a third group waiting across the river in Virginia with a supply of weapons.

After the attack on Capitol Hill, Rhodes allegedly spent more than $17,500 on weapons, equipment and ammunition and told his associates to organize local militias to oppose the Biden administration.

Assault on CapitolOath Keepers

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2022-01-25

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