While it was expected that a ruling on Jon Schaffer's bail would be determined at a hearing this past Friday, instead it now looks like Schaffer is being extradited to Washington D.C. to face the six federal charges against him for storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
Indiana Public Media reports that Schaffer waived a preliminary hearing and will soon be extradited to the nation's capital. Defendants typically wave a preliminary hearing out of caution of further evidence being revealed publicly or if they plan to plea guilty. Both Schaffer's lawyers and the U.S. attorneys agreed to try the case in Washington, D.C..
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."
After reviewing video footage, federal authorities noticed "a group[dressed in paramilitary gear and Oath Keepers paraphernalia stood out for its coordination," which was the Oath Keepers. Three leaders of the group Edward Caldwell, 66, Donovan Crowl, 50, and Jessica Watkins, 38, were charged with conspiracy to commit federal crimes.
Schaffer is named in the article as being among the rioters who used bear spray, a more potent form of pepper spray, on Capitol police.
The New York Times article details the evidence government officials had obtained that point to the three organizing the raid, including audio recordings from the cellphone app Zello, a walkie-talkie like app, that shows Mrs. Watkins of saying "We have a good group. We have about 30-40 of us. We are sticking together and sticking to the plan.” An unknown male responded, “We’ll see you soon, Jess. Airborne.”
Schaffer's criminal complaint can be seen below.
