Judge Rules ‘QAnon Shaman’ Must Remain Behind Bars

A federal judge ruled on Monday that the self-proclaimed “QAnon Shaman” is to remain in jail while his case moves forward for the charges he is facing for his role in the January 6 riot in Washington D.C.

Judge Royce Lamberth said that Jacob Chansley showed “a detachment from reality” and that he could still pose a potential threat to the public, according to ABC News. The judge said that if placed on house arrest, Chansley could plan more attacks against the government.

“Defendant characterizes himself as a peaceful person who was welcomed into the Capitol building on January 6 by police officers. The Court finds none of his many attempts to manipulate the evidence and minimize the seriousness of his actions persuasive,” Judge Lamberth wrote in his decision.

Chansley, who was seen dressed in horns and face paint during the Capitol attacks, had asked the judge to release him from jail over the last few weeks. Lamberth rejected Chansley’s arguments. One of the main points behind Lamberth’s decision was that Chansley carried a spear during the siege on the Capitol, which the judge believed spoke to the violent nature of the charges the conspiracy theorist is facing.

Chansley’s attorney argued that he was carrying a flagpole, not a dangerous weapon. Lamberth was not persuaded. The judge also used Chansley’s own words against him, stemming from a recent 60 Minutes interview.

“The statements defendant has made to the public from jail show that defendant does not fully appreciate the severity of the allegations against him,” Lamberth said of the interview. “To the contrary, he believes that he — not the American people or members of Congress — was the victim on January 6.”

Chansley is a well-known member of the QAnon conspiracy theory community. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, violent entry, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.