Jon Schaffer Capitol Riots Case

Jon Schaffer pleads guilty to two charges for his role in Capitol Riot

The Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm represents Jon Schaffer, a guitarist for the band Iced Earth who Pleaded guilty for his role in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. U.S. attorneys said Schaffer was radicalized and brought “a dangerous weapon inside restricted grounds.”

Showing a video interview of Schaffer from a November rally for former President Donald Trump, federal attorneys argued Schaffer contemplated violence before he engaged in the insurrection.

“They’re making their big move and it’s not going to work,” Schaffer said in the video. “If someone wants to bring violence, we’re ready for that.”
Later in the video, Schaffer claimed “there will be a lot of bloodshed.”

One of Schaffer’s attorneys, Marc Victor, dismissed the allegations and pointed to another place in the video where Schaffer said he wasn’t looking for violence but would respond if provoked. Victor claimed his client was photographed attempting to protect an elderly man, instead of inciting violence. He admits his client “used bad judgment that day” by bringing pepper spray — more specifically “bear spray”— into the Capitol, but reiterated he was only intending to use it for protection.

Victor argued the Indiana man was not responsible for the insurrection and was encouraged by former President Trump.

“People have the right to believe the highest elected official,” Victor said during the hearing held via teleconference. “My client is not responsible for what happened on Jan. 6,” Victor said during the March hearing.

Although Schaffer was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, he pleaded guilty to only two charges: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

In a joint status update filed on November 12 in federal court in Washington, D.C., one of Schaffer’s other attorneys Andrew C. Marcantel of Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm stated that “The Defendant remains on release under the supervision of the District of Columbia Pre-Trial Services Department. He has remained cooperative with pre-trial release conditions and law enforcement since his release.

“He is the first individual to step forward in this historic investigation and take responsibility for his role in the Capitol riot,” said his attorney Andrew Marcantel in court.

Jon Hegreness - R.
Jon Hegreness - R.
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I’m impressed. Without details about an ongoing situation, I want to say I am soooo happy I signed... up for the Attorney’s on Retainer program. I’ve been a client for some time, but never really expected to need them. Well, low and behold a very unhinged man made it a point to come straight at me and attack me, then claimed a different story. I am so happy that I already knew exactly who to call. I called the emergency line and Mr. Harris and Mr. Victor quickly got all over helping me. They jumped right in without hesitation. I highly recommend their program, not just for firearm owners that carry, but for anyone living in these crazy times where we might be forced to defend ourselves.read more
Brandon W.
Brandon W.
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I was needing good representation. I was really impressed with their handling of cases in the past... and thought they had I good reputation. They did a good case review on everything, developed a good strategy and after almost a year and a half prevailed and even uncovered some procedural issues. You can tell everybody you talk to there is passionate about what they do. I think them for their professionalism and expertise.read more
stirring the K.
stirring the K.
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I was involved in a live fire situation with one fatality. the county was looking at me for... discharging a firearm near an occupied structure and some other things. once I called AFF, the county quickly changed their tune and said it was a righteous shoot, and I would NOT be charged. interesting how having a lawyer can change things, and having a GOOD lawyer makes all the difference.read more
Jade H.
Jade H.
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Attorneys for Freedom did their job and delivered for me. Brittany you were a pleasure to work with.
Adam C.
Adam C.
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Andy and his team at Attorneys for Freedom are incredible! I was quickly able to get an appointment... for a consultation after a small incident and Andy took it from there. My experience with them was second to none, and after all was said and done, Andy and his team came in considerably under budget and sent me my refund check incredibly quick. If you're anything like me, you've never been in a situation that needed a lawyer. I called around 10 different law firms in Arizona, and I can say with 100% certainty that I made the right choice with choosing Attorneys for Freedom. Are they the cheapest; no. Do they deliver; absolutely. I 100% recommend this firm for anyone in the state of Arizona.read more
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