An Arizona man known as “QAnon Shaman” who became the face of the Capitol riot has just been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison.
“QAnon Shaman,” whose real name is Jacob Chansley, learned his fate on Wednesday. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth slammed the rioter in court, calling his acts “horrific.”
“You made yourself the epitome of the riot,” Lamberth said to Chansley during sentencing. The judge also ordered Chansley to pay $2,000 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
The 34-year-old was among the thousands who swarmed the Capitol on January 6th to protest Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election. However, Chansley remains one of the most notable radicals, being photographed multiple times that day in face paint wearing a horned headdress as he marched holding an American flag and bullhorn. He was captured on film entering the Senate floor and scaling the chamber’s dais.
In September, Chansley pleaded guilty to a single charge of felony obstruction of an official proceeding. He called his actions that day “indefensible” but maintained that he was not a threat to society.
“I am not a violent man or a white supremacist. I am truly repentant,” he insisted. Chansley also told the court that he suffered from a personality disorder and is on the autism spectrum, which contributed to his actions that day. His attorney also argued that his mental challenges should be taken into consideration before sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall said that Chansley posted several messages on social media calling for his followers to “expose corrupt politicians” in the months leading up to the attack.
