Judge Denies Request To Release QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley From Jail

Jacob Chansley, also known as Jacob Angeli or the “QAnon Shaman,” will remain in jail as he awaits trial for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, in a decision made by a U.S. District Court judge on Monday.

Chansley gained notoriety, as well as a catchy nickname, after identifying himself to the FBI as the man wearing a furry hat with horns and face paint in photos released by law enforcement officials of protesters inside the U.S. Capitol.

Chansley’s legal team had been advocating for his detainment order to be reconsidered when U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth‘s made the decision not to release Chansley from jail before trial. Lamberth filed a court opinion on the matter, stating: “no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure defendant’s appearance as required or the safety of others and the community.”

Chansley has been accused of participating in the U.S. Capitol riots, which took place as Congress was in the midst of verifying the 2020 presidential election results. The Jan. 6. riots resulted in a lockdown of the U.S. Capitol, as well as the death of six civilians and a Capitol Police officer.

According to George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, over 270 people are currently facing federal charges related to the riots. Chansley himself is facing charges such as “obstruction of an official proceeding,” “civil disorder” and “violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building.”

The court document which denied Chansely’s pre-trial release states that the “Shaman’s” actions and comments since the riots “indicat[e] his willingness to resort to violence to undermine the legitimate functions of the United States government.” The document also states that Chansley’s “refusal to obey orders from law enforcement” on January 6 “indicates that he would not comply with conditions of release imposed to keep the public safe.”

Lamberth wrote that Chansley’s “perception of his actions on January 6th as peaceful, benign, and well-intentioned shows a detachment from reality.”

Chansley argued that it was difficult to meet with his legal team due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the court rejected this argument, citing a recent 60 Minutes interview.

Lamberth’s order stated: “Given defense counsel’s decision to use what could have been a confidential videoconference on a media publicity stunt, that argument is so frivolous as to insult the Court’s intelligence.”