On Tuesday, January 26th, Iced Earth guitarist Jon Schaffer was transferred to federal custody, to be extradited to Washington D.C.
Schaffer is now D.C. bound, according to an update from Indianapolis reporter Brock Turner, who wrote "US Marshals confirmed tonight Jon Ryan Schaffer (Indiana man accused in Capitol insurrection) is in their custody. I’ll share more updates when available."
Schaffer was arrested in Hamilton County, charged for his role in the Capitol insurrection on January 6. Schaffer turned himself into authorities on January 17th and is currently in Marion County Jail. WISH-TV reports U.S. government officials not to grant Schaffer bail.
The FBI has charged him with six different charges, one of which accuses him of spraying Capitol police with bear spray, a more potent form of pepper spray. Schaffer is not guaranteed bail, and must prove that he is not a threat to himself or the public to be granted so. Schaffer is dealing with the following charges:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
- Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business
- Knowingly Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence Against any Person or Property in any Restricted Building or Grounds
- Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
- Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
Schaffer was wearing an Oath Keepers hat during the raid as is believed to be a member of the group.
A report from The New York Times today described the group as a "far-right militia-style organization founded by military and law enforcement veterans that professes to believe that a shadowy globalist cabal is plotting to take away Americans’ rights."
Earlier this week, the Indiana chapter of the Oath Keepers distanced themselves from Schaffer, without directly naming him, saying he was never a member of their chapter.
“Indiana Oath Keepers does not and has never sponsored, planned or funded any activities that involve riots, violence or unlawful actions. No IOK members were sent to Washington DC on January 6th nor did IOK leadership ask for volunteers to travel to Washington DC. IOK encourages the rule of law by supporting law enforcement and emergency response personnel in the lawful exercise of their duties. The individual arrested in Columbus, Indiana and was wearing an Oath Keepers (not Indiana Oath Keepers) hat in the US Capitol building on January 6th is NOT a member of Indiana Oath Keepers.”
