Jacob Chansley, better known as the “QAnon Shaman,” has been released from prison to a halfway house, as per his attorney, Bill Shipley. Shipley confirmed on Thursday that Chansley had been released on schedule. He added, “BOP [Federal Bureau of Prisons] math. I didn’t do anything extraordinary-this was always the schedule, I just understood it and could explain it to him. He was expecting 12 more months.” Chansley, a Navy veteran, gained notoriety for his horned costume during January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
It’s about time! After being sentenced to almost 3 years in prison for non violent offenses the Qanon Shaman has been released, 14 months early, just weeks after @TuckerCarlson aired exculpatory January 6th video that his defense attorneys claim they never saw. Now we need… pic.twitter.com/XF8qEq5dzz
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 30, 2023
Chansley, who is 35 years old, was charged with civil disorder and violent entry to the Capitol and pleaded guilty in September 2021. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November of the same year by Federal Judge Royce Lamberth.
Chansley has been recognized widely as the man who became the “very image” of the riot, according to one federal judge. He was seen carrying an American flag through the Capitol building as then-President Trump’s supporters engaged in violent confrontations with police outside.
Following the riots, footage from the Capitol showed Chansley being escorted around the building by Capitol Police officers. At least nine police officers were seen close to Chansley, but none of them slowed him down.
#BREAKING: Jacob Chansley FREED From Prison
Jacob Chansley (QAnon Shaman) has been released 14 months earlier than expected from prison.
This was after Tucker Carlson showed leaked footage from Jan 6th where he was escorted by police around the Capitol building. pic.twitter.com/tNTdoXgRKG
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 30, 2023
At his sentencing hearing, Chansley admitted he was “wrong for entering the Capitol” and did not excuse his actions. He said, “I am in no way, shape, or form a violent criminal… no way a domestic terrorist. I’m a good man who broke the law… I am truly repentant for my actions.”
Chansley’s release from prison to a halfway house in Arizona and southern Nevada has pleased his trial attorney, Albert Watkins.
