Two members of far-right militia guilty of US sedition
A far-right militia leader has been found guilty of plotting to prevent Joe Biden from becoming president of the United States after the 2020 election.
After a two-month trial, a jury found Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes guilty of the rare charge of seditious conspiracy.
He plotted an armed rebellion to prevent the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Mr Biden, investigators said.
He was one of four people facing trial for their roles in the riots that took place in the Capitol in 2021.
During the attack, three members of the group, Kenneth Harrelson, Kelly Meggs, and Jessica Watkins, entered the building.
The charges now carry a maximum sentence of 20 years for Rhodes and Meggs.
Harrelson, Thomas Caldwell, Watkins, and a fifth member were found not guilty of seditious conspiracy.
The group’s five members were all found guilty of obstruction of justice.
Rhodes was found guilty of tampering with documents or proceedings, who, according to prosecutors, acted as a “battlefield general” during the riots. He was cleared of two additional conspiracy charges.
After three full days of jury deliberation, the verdict was reached.
Speaking outside the courthouse following the verdict, lawyers for Rhodes said they were not pleased with the outcome, but that it wasn’t a clear-cut victory for the prosecution either.
“It’s a mixed bag,” said lawyer Edward Tarpley, adding he was grateful the jury found the defendants not guilty on some counts.
They intend to appeal against the convictions.
