Jacob Anthony Chansley could face up to 51 months in prison over the January 6 unrest at the US Congress. He has since turned his back on the QAnon conspiracy theory, his lawyer said.
Chansley has been a fixture at Arizona right-wing political rallies in 2020Image: Douglas Christian/Zumapress/picture alliance
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An Arizona man who became one of the most recognized Capitol Hill rioters pleaded guilty on Friday to obstructing a US congressional meeting.
Known as the "QAnon Shaman," Jacob Anthony Chansley was caught on camera shirtless, carrying a spear and sporting a horned fur hat during the violence. It became one of the images synonymous with the infamous day.
He has been a subscriber to QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory blamed for fueling the unrest.
Pro-Trump protesters storm US Capitol: In pictures
Supporters of President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol as lawmakers gathered to count electoral votes. Here's a look at some of the chaotic scenes in Washington as rioters clashed with security forces.
Image: Leah Millis/REUTERS
Protesters and police clash
Supporters of US President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the Capitol Building in Washington DC on January 6. Congress was holding a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win over President Trump.
Image: Stephanie Keith/REUTERS
Angry protesters march towards the Capitol
Aggressive pro-Trump supporters rallied outside the US Capitol's Rotunda. Police tried to hold them back, but they breached security and forced their way into the building.
Image: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Forceful entry
An angry pro-Trump mob breaks into the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, while Congress holds a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win over President Trump.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Guns drawn
With guns drawn, US Capitol police officers watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber, the inner-most room where legislators had convened to ratify the Electoral College vote.
Image: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo/picture alliance
Standoff outside the Senate
Security officials try to hold off the rioters in the hallway outside the Senate chamber as lawmakers on the other side of the door are rushed to safety.
Image: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo/picture alliance
Taking over the Senate
After breaking through Capitol security, a protester rushes to the middle of the Senate chamber and screams "Freedom."
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Invading the Senate chamber
A rioter manages to break through security, and jumps from the public gallery to the floor of the Senate chamber.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Taking shelter
People frantically searched for shelter in the House gallery, as the protesters tried to break into the House chamber. According to a White House reporter on the House floor, people were given gas masks that were under the seats.
Image: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo/picture alliance
Protesters move in
Pro-Trump supporters took over the offices vacated by lawmakers who had been rushed to safety.
Image: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
No holding back
Without police or security officials to hold them back, protesters walzed through the Rotunda and lawmaker's offices. This one carried away the lectern of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Tear gas against protesters
Security forces use tear gas on rioters rallying outside the US Capitol Building.
Image: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Chaos in the Capitol
An explosion caused by a police munition goes off while pro-Trump supporters rally in front of the US Capitol building. Washington police and the national guard have been deployed to disperse the protesters.
Image: Leah Millis/REUTERS
Dispersing protesters
Members of the National Guard and Washington DC police have been deployed to the Capitol to disperse protesters. A city-wide curfew went into effect from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Image: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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What happened at the hearing?
Speaking by video link to the US District Court in Washington, Chansley admitted to "disorderly and disruptive conduct" when he obstructed congressional proceedings and threatened officials.
His lawyer, Albert Watkins, asked the court to be lenient. "Mr Chansley has zero criminal history, we do know that he was not a planner, he was not violent," Watkins said.
After spending eight months in prison, Chansley expressed regret at what he had done and apologized to anyone he had scared throughout the unrest, Watkins said.
Chansley's lawyer also said his client has since repudiated the QAnon movement and asked that there be no more references to his past affiliations with the movement.
Chansley was taken into custody on January 9Image: Manuel Balce Ceneta/ASSOCIATED PRESS/picture alliance
Chansley told the court he had "mental vulnerabilities," although psychiatric professionals had certified Chansley was competent to stand trial before the case.
Sentencing was scheduled for November 17. He could face 41 to 51 months in prison, according to guidelines estimated by the prosecution.
Watkins also asked the court that his client be released from detention pending sentencing — a request that Lambert said would be considered.
US Capitol riot investigation
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What do we know about the 'QAnon Shaman'?
Chansley, also known as Jacob Angeli, is among some 600 people charged over the Capitol unrest.
He was seen in images using a bullhorn to spark up the crowds. He posed for pictures in the building while calling former Vice-President Mike Pence a traitor.
He was also photographed holding a "Q Sent Me!" sign at previous QAnon rallies.
Prosecutors said that at the Senate dais, he wrote on a piece of paper to Pence: "It's only a matter of time, justice is coming."
