Attorney for Oath Keepers group pleads guilty to Capitol riot charges

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Wednesday, an attorney closely linked to the far-right Oath Keepers acknowledged her guilt regarding her involvement in the violent events of January 6, 2021, which resulted in the assault on the U.S. Capitol. Kellye SoRelle, who served as the group’s general counsel, entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in a Washington, D.C. courtroom.

SoRelle, 45, hailing from Granbury, Texas, pleaded guilty to two criminal charges: one felony count of obstructing justice, and one misdemeanor count for entering and remaining in restricted areas. While the felony could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, her sentencing guidelines point to a possible maximum of 16 months in prison. A sentencing date has been set for January 17.

Her legal troubles began in September 2022, when she was arrested in Junction, Texas. However, her case faced delays due to concerns regarding her mental health. In November 2023, it was determined that SoRelle was unable to stand trial due to mental incompetence. Following treatment at a federal Bureau of Prisons facility, she was deemed capable of understanding her charges and engaging in her defense.

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence for orchestrating a plan aimed at keeping Donald Trump in power following the 2020 presidential election. After Rhodes’ arrest, SoRelle publicly declared herself to be acting as the president of the Oath Keepers in his absence.

Photographed alongside Rhodes outside the Capitol on January 6th, SoRelle communicated with fellow members during the chaos, sending a message that read, “We are acting like the founding fathers — can’t stand down. Per Stewart, and I concur.”

Despite not having entered the Capitol Building herself, she recognized the impact that actions from those inside, as well as her own, had on hindering the certification of the electoral proceedings happening within, as highlighted in a court document associated with her guilty plea.

The night before the riot, SoRelle was part of a gathering alongside Rhodes and other extremist group members in an underground garage located in Washington, D.C. This meeting also featured former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio, who is currently fulfilling a 22-year prison sentence connected to a different conspiracy to undermine the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden.

Rhodes, a former U.S. Army paratrooper, founded the Oath Keepers in 2009 with the goal of recruiting current and former military, law enforcement, and first responders, all swearing to protect the Constitution against both foreign and domestic threats.

Throughout the trial involving Rhodes and other Oath Keepers facing charges of seditious conspiracy, jurors were informed of a romantic link between SoRelle and Rhodes.

SoRelle’s guilty plea related to obstructing justice on the grounds of urging others to destroy digital evidence reflecting their involvement in the conspiracy. Shortly after the Capitol riot, both SoRelle and Rhodes utilized her cellphone to send directives urging fellow Oath Keepers to erase any evidence that could incriminate them.

Although she was indicted on several other charges, including conspiracy with Rhodes and other members of the Oath Keepers to obstruct the certification of the Electoral College vote, she did not admit guilt regarding the conspiracy charge.

In related news, on the same day, a judge established a trial date of February 3 for an Illinois man accused of firing a weapon during the Capitol riot. John Banuelos reportedly climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol and discharged two shots into the air. He was taken into custody in March. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan declined to release Banuelos from pretrial detention, citing concerns that he poses both a flight risk and a potential danger to the public. The judge noted, “It could have been much more tragic,” in reference to the incident involving gunfire.