PLANO, TEXAS – The founder and leader of the far-right militia group The Oath-Keepers must stay behind bars until he stands trial on charges of sedation arising from last year’s attack on the US Capitol. United States, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
Stewart Rhodes has been jailed since his arrest on January 13, on charges that he conspired with others to attack the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, to prevent Congress from certifying victory. President Joe Biden’s 2020 election.
In a 17-page opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Kimberly Priest Johnson concluded that no bail conditions warrant public safety or that the 56-year-old Granbury, Texas man would have to appear in court.
Prosecutors urged Rhodes to remain in custody, while his lawyers urged friends or relatives to have custody. One of Rhodes’ attorneys, James Lee Bright, said Wednesday that he and his co-advisor disagree with aspects of Johnson’s ruling and will file an appeal on Thursday with a judge. The district court handled the case in Washington. He said Rhodes is “doing well” and looking forward to a trial.
Rhodes and 10 others were the first to be charged with sedation for their roles in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, in which five people died. A federal indictment alleges the Oath-Keepers for weeks discussed trying to overturn the election results and prepare for a siege by purchasing weapons and setting up a battle plan.
The indictment against Rhodes alleges the Oath-Keepers formed two teams, or “stacks,” to enter the Capitol. The first stack splits inside the building to go separate after the House and Senate. The indictment said the second husband confronted officers inside the Capitol Rotunda. Outside Washington, the indictment alleges, the Oath-Keepers stationed two gun-armed “rapid response forces” that “supported their plot to prevent a legitimate transfer of power.”
