O Oath Keepers founder found guilty of seditious conspiracy

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the rightwing Oath Keepers militia group, has been found guilty of seditious conspiracy, a charge arising from the attack on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.

In an eight-week trial, the Yale Law-educated former US army paratrooper and disbarred attorney was accused of conspiring to use force to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

It was the most significant trial resulting from the deadly Capitol riot of January 6th, 2021, which has been linked to nine deaths and suicides among law enforcement. A US district judge, Amit Mehta, presided.

Rhodes had four co-defendants: Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins and Thomas Caldwell.

Meggs was convicted of seditious conspiracy. Harrelson, Caldwell and Watkins were acquitted.

Rhodes, who wears an eye patch after accidentally shooting himself in the face, was one of the most prominent defendants of around 900 charged in connection with the attack.

Rhodes founded the Oath Keepers in 2009, whose members include current and retired military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders. Its members have shown up, often heavily armed, at protests and political events including racial justice demonstrations after the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020.

Prosecutors said Rhodes and his co-defendants planned to use force to stop Congress from certifying Biden's win.

Meggs, Watkins, and Harrelson entered the Capitol wearing tactical gear. The defendants were accused of creating a quick reaction force positioned at a Virginia hotel and equipped with firearms that could be transported quickly to Washington.

Fifty witnesses testified. Rhodes and two co-defendants testified in their defense. They denied plotting any attack or trying to stop Congress from certifying results. Watkins admitted to impeding police officers.