Iced Earth‘s Jon Schaffer finally has a sentencing date to determine the price he’ll pay for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol Building riot.
Schaffer, known to metal fans as the guitarist of Iced Earth, was one of the first rioters to enter the Capitol on the day of the riots in support of Donald Trump’s claim that the election was “stolen” from him. Infamously, upon arrest, Schaffer bear sprayed his arresting officers.
The video was released by the U.S. Justice Department in 2021 and then posted on Twitter by CBS News’ Scott MacFarlane. About 18 seconds into the video, those in the know will recognize Schaffer as he pushes his way through the crowd with bear spray in his hand.
Schaffer has plead guilty to obstructing an official proceeding of Congress and trespassing on restricted Capitol grounds with a dangerous weapon. He is part of a plea bargain that dismissed the other charges, and he has agreed to cooperate in the investigation and share information about the Oath Keepers, the group behind the riot. Schaffer also claims to be a founding member of the Oath Keepers.
It remains to be seen what his sentence is, but it will be determined by the value of his cooperation. He could serve up to three and half to four and a half years in prison. He will be sentenced on February 20, 2024.
In addition to this, Schaffer is also being sued by the District of Columbia for his involvement in the riots.