Owen Shroyer Pleads Guilty for Entering and Remaining on Restricted Grounds
Owen Shroyer, the host of Infowars' "War Room," known for promoting baseless claims of election fraud on the platform, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his participation in the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In a Washington, D.C., courtroom on June 23, Shroyer, who did not physically enter the Capitol building but led the rioters in chants near the top of the steps, changed his plea to guilty for the charge of entering and remaining on restricted grounds.
Court records indicate that prosecutors have agreed to drop three other misdemeanor charges against him in exchange for the plea.
News of Shroyer's decision to change his plea was first reported on June 20. As part of the plea deal, Shroyer has also committed to cooperating with authorities in an "additional investigation."
According to the plea agreement, Shroyer “agrees to allow law enforcement agents to review any social media accounts operated by [him] for statements and postings in and around January 6, 2021, prior to sentencing."
What Did Owen Shroyer Do On January 6th?
Shroyer, a longstanding host on Infowars and a close associate of the platform's owner, Alex Jones, was charged in August 2021 for his involvement in the Capitol riot. During the events of January 6, 2021, Shroyer stood in front of a crowd outside the Capitol with a megaphone, shouting that Democrats are "tyrants." He declared, "And so today, on January 6, we declare death to tyranny! Death to tyrants!"
Charging documents indicate that Shroyer was captured on video, subsequently shared on Infowars, showing him in restricted areas of the Capitol grounds.
While positioned near the top steps on the east side of the Capitol, Shroyer, a resident of Austin, Texas, led hundreds of rioters in chanting "USA!" and "1776!" In an affidavit, he later claimed to have stood with Alex Jones as Jones attempted to calm the situation.
However, prosecutors argued in a court filing, "Harkening to the last time Americans overthrew their government in a revolution while standing on the Capitol steps where elected representatives are certifying a Presidential Election you disagree with does not qualify as deescalation."
Additionally, Shroyer called into a live broadcast on Infowars while present at the Capitol and stated, "probably about 100,000 people" had surrounded the building.
"We literally own these streets right now," Shroyer declared during the broadcast.
Following his arrest, Shroyer took to Infowars to maintain his innocence.
"There's a lot of questions—some I have answers to, some I don't," Shroyer informed viewers at the time. "I plan on declaring innocence of these charges because I am."
According to court records, Shroyer could face a prison sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to $9,500. His sentencing date has been scheduled for September 12.
Who is Owen Shroyer?
Owen Shroyer, born in 1989, is an American political activist and commentator originally from St. Louis but currently residing and working in Texas. He is known to be affiliated with the US alt-right movement.
Shroyer previously served as an AM radio host on KXFN and later KFNS in St. Louis. Over time, he transitioned to hosting a podcast and sharing his perspectives through YouTube videos. Shroyer has been reported to endorse conspiracy theories related to the Clinton family.
