Oath Keepers Trial: Founder Stewart Rhodes Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy

The Oath Keepers trial finally reached its verdict and the Washington D.C. jury found Oath Keepers founder and leader Stewart Rhodes guilty of seditious conspiracy for trying to overturn President Joe Biden's victory during the January 6 Capitol Insurrection.

The verdict came after three days of deliberations, with the trial itself lasting for almost two months, according to the Associated Press. The trial revealed that the Oath Keepers, a far-extremist group, was trying to keep then-President Donald Trump in office at all costs, even stockpiling weapons in Virginia as they planned an armed uprising in Washington D.C.

Aside from the Seditious Conspiracy charge, Rhodes was also found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and tampering with documents. However, the jury also acquitted him of two other conspiracy counts. Despite these acquittals, the decision was still a big one for the Department of Justice, as it is likely going to make things easier for prosecutors to go after other extremists and January 6 leaders.

Oath Keepers Florida Leader Kelly Meggs Also Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy

Rhodes was on trial alongside other Oath Keepers leaders, Kelly Meggs, Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson, and Thomas Caldwell. All five were found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, but Watkins, Harrelson, and Caldwell were acquitted of their seditious conspiracy charge.

However, the leader of the Oath Keepers Florida Chapter, Kelly Meggs, who had a more active role in the lead-up to January 6, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy, much like Rhodes.

NBC News pointed out that the charge of seditious conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. It was the most serious charge ever given out by the DOJ in its far-ranging investigation into the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

With Rhodes facing up to 20 years in prison, his lawyer has said that he plans to appeal that conviction.

Rhodes, a Yale-educated lawyer, did not set foot inside the Capitol building, Instead, he directed members of the Oath Keepers from the outside like a "battlefield general."

As for the other defendants, Watkins was found guilty of one count of civil disorder and aiding and abetting after she admitted under oath that he helped push against officers inside the Capitol. Meanwhile, Caldwell was found guilty of tampering with documents or proceedings and aiding and abetting.

Prosecutors had Strong Cases Against Oath Keepers Leader

According to NPR, prosecutors called on over two dozen witnesses that included FBI agents, Capitol Police officers, and two members of the Oath Keepers who stormed the Capitol on January 6. Both Oath Keepers also pleaded guilty to various charges.

During the trial, prosecutors presented strong evidence against the Oath Keepers leaders, including text messages and social media messages. They also presented audio and video recordings where "Rhodes and his co-defendants spoke in incendiary, sometimes even apocalyptic, terms about violence, civil war and the need to fight to keep Donald Trump in power."

In one of these messages, Rhodes told other Oath Keepers that there will be a Civil War and that they must prepare for this. In their plans, they stashed their guns at a Virginia hotel just outside Washington and even had a quick reaction force on standby. They were doing everything in their power to keep Trump in office.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: BREAKING: Oath Keepers Leader Stewart Rhodes Found Guilty Of Seditious Conspiracy - MSNBC