Jacob Chansley, known as QAnon Shaman, who pleaded guilty to storming US Capitol released 14 months early from prison
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Jacob Chansley, also known as the 'QAnon Shaman,' has been released from federal prison 14 months before his sentence was due to end. Chansley pleaded guilty to several charges, including civil disorder and violent entry into the Capitol for his involvement in the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.
He pleaded guilty in September 2021 and was sentenced two months later to 41 months in federal prison. However, after serving just under 27 months in prison, he has been moved to a halfway house in Phoenix.
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Federal inmates can receive a 15% reduction in their prison sentence for good behavior
According to the Bureau of Prison records, per a report, federal inmates can receive a 15% reduction in their prison sentence for good behavior and serve the final 12 months of their sentences in halfway houses at the discretion of the Bureau of Prisons. Chansley's move to the halfway house appears to be a matter of routine federal prison policy.
Bureau of Prison records and Chansley's attorney confirmed that Chansley is in the custody of the Residential Reentry Management field office in Phoenix. Albert S Watkins, Chansley's former attorney, applauded his release from prison to the custody of a halfway house.
'Law-abiding and enriching life'
In a statement to Daily Mail, he said, "After serving eleven months in solitary prior to his sentence being imposed and only 16 months of his sentence thereafter, it is appropriate this gentle and intelligent young man be permitted to move forward with the next stage of what undoubtedly will be a law-abiding and enriching life." Watkins added, "I applaud the decision of the US Bureau of Prison in this regard."
Former federal prosecutor Neama Ramani told the outlet that it was unlikely the intense scrutiny on Chansley's case had any impact on his early release. Ramani said, "Despite the violent nature of the Capitol riots, most of the rioters had little to no criminal history."
Chansley's release comes weeks after his former attorney demanded he is freed in light of a new video from the Capitol riot
Chansley's release comes weeks after his former attorney demanded he is freed in light of a new video from the Capitol riot. Fox News host Tucker Carlson aired previously unseen footage of Chansley inside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection. Carlson used the footage to argue that the rioters were "sightseers" and "mostly peaceful," leading to claims that Chansley was unfairly portrayed as a violent intruder.
However, Chansley's former lawyer stated that he had not been shown the footage broadcast by Carlson. Chansley had previously disavowed the QAnon conspiracy theory, according to his former lawyer. Despite his release from prison, Chansley is still required to complete his sentence in the halfway house and is under strict supervision.