Four Members Of Oath Keepers Sentenced On Conspiracy and Other Charges
On June 1 and 2, 2023, four members of the Oath Keepers, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejo, were sentenced in U.S. District for the District of Columbia for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The joint session of the U.S. Congress, which was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes, was disrupted by their actions.
Sentences Handed Down
Minuta was sentenced to 54 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release, while Vallejo was sentenced to 36 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release, 12 of which were to be served on home confinement. Moerschel was sentenced to 36 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release and Hackett was sentenced to 42 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.
These verdicts followed a seven week trial. Evidence showed that the 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. Hackett was also found guilty of destruction of evidence.
Conspiracy Planning
In the months leading up to January 6, the defendants and their co-conspirators plotted to oppose by force the transfer of presidential power, which included amassing an armed “quick reaction force” on the outskirts of the District of Columbia. The defendants and other co-conspirators coordinated and planned to travel to Washington, D.C. to bring weapons.
The defendants planned and brought paramilitary gear, weapons, and supplies, such as knives, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection, and radio equipment.
They conspired with a variety of manners and means, including: organizing into teams to use force, teaching and learning paramilitary combat tactics, breaching and attempting to take control of the Capitol grounds and building, and using websites, social media, text messaging and encrypted messaging applications to communicate with co-conspirators and others.
