A prominent supporter of the baseless QAnon conspiracy has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his involvement in the US Capital riot.
Jacob Anthony Chansley was among the Trump supporters who tried to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election on 6 January. He earlier pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstruction in an official proceeding. His sentence is among the longest so far given in connection to the riots. In addition to his prison sentence, Chansley was sentenced to 36 months of supervised release and must pay $100 (£74) in restitution.
The 34-year-old became one of the most recognisable figures from the siege after being pictured wearing horns and a bearskin headdress, with a US flag painted on his face. He referred to himself as “the QAnon Shaman.” Followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe that former President Donald Trump was waging a secret war against a cabal of Satan-worshiping paedophiles in government, business and the media.
Following his arrest, Chansley told the FBI that he came to DC in January “at the request of the president” that “patriots” come to the city. In the court on Wednesday, Chansley stated that he wants to “evolve” and was “wrong for entering the Capitol”. He stated, “I have no excuse.” He also stated that he has been asking himself “what would Jesus do?” and likened himself to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi saying: “What if we all judge Gandhi based on that he beat his wife before his spiritual awakening?” he has been custody nearly 11 months since being arrested just days after the riot.
