Jacob Anthony Chansley, commonly known as Jake Angeli and famously referred to as the “QAnon Shaman,” was released from custody on May 25. Angeli, who had been sentenced to 41 months for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol raid on January 6, 2021, celebrated his homecoming in a highly publicized event in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.
The QAnon Shaman's Consequences From Jan. 6: Sentencing and Early Release
Angeli was sentenced in November 2021 and released from prison early in March to serve the remainder of his sentence in a halfway house in Phoenix.
Angeli gained notoriety during the January 6 insurrection, becoming an icon of the riot due to his distinctive horned headdress and affiliation with the QAnon conspiracy theory, earning him the nickname “QAnon Shaman.” While prosecutors did not accuse him of direct violence or property damage, they argued that his presence and use of a megaphone played a key role in inciting the crowd. According to a court filing, Capitol authorities assert that Angeli was among the first 30 rioters to breach the Capitol.
Angeli ultimately pleaded guilty to obstructing a civil proceeding.
Jake Angeli’s Homecoming Event as a Platform for Misinformation
By 10 a.m. on the day he was released, Angeli went to the Arizona State Capitol, dressed in full red, white, and blue face paint, along with a photo and video crew. There, he filmed a video forgiving the government for his imprisonment. Notably, Angeli gave a public speech on conspiracies regarding global corruption at the Arizona Capitol in 2019.
Angeli was then welcomed by over 150 supporters at a gathering in Scottsdale, planned by Susan Wood, who said she met Angeli at a number of protests during 2019 and 2020.
During the homecoming event, Angeli took the opportunity to spew a mix of conspiracy theories and pseudo-intellectual ramblings, delving into topics such as pharmaceutical companies and artificial intelligence.
Angeli also used the event to promote his self-serving agenda by announcing plans to film his podcast at the Arizona Capitol on a regular basis, while shamelessly directing attendees to his website for free online courses and consultation services, where he continues to peddle his misleading narratives.
