With the official sentencing now complete for Iced Earth’s Jon Schaffer in relation to his participation in the January 6 riot on the U.S. Capitol, the musician has now offered his first public statement on the matter.
The statement was shared by the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm who represented Schaffer. The musician, who was one of the first to breach the Capitol building during the riot, was sentenced to three years of probation and 120 hours of community service. He will also have to pay $1,000 in restitution and a $200 financial assessment as well. The government had recommended three years of supervised probation. The government also asked for $2,000 paid in restitution as well as a mandatory $200 special assessment charge.
What Jon Schaffer Said After His Sentencing
The guitarist immediately addressed his actions, stating, “I profoundly regret my actions on January 6th, 2021. I haven’t been a perfect man, but for the majority of my life, I’ve been a very productive man, and have tried to live my life with integrity and a disciplined work ethic. I deeply love our country and the founding principles that have inspired people from all over the world to look at the USA as a beacon of hope for all of humanity.”
The guitarist continued, “When the 2020 election took place and I saw many public officials and media outlets reporting that the election was stolen, my concern deepened. This led to my decision to go to D.C. and have my voice heard. I’m not excusing my impulsive behavior. I was wrong, and I take ownership of my actions. I own the fact that I made a huge mistake, and I wish I never would have gone there. In fact, the consequences have been devastating on my life, family, friends, business, colleagues and business partners.”…