acob Chansley, the 35-year-old infamous “QAnon Shaman” known for storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, wearing a horned coyote-fur headdress, has been released from prison 14 months early and moved to a halfway house in Phoenix, Arizona, according to prison officials.
The New York Post reports that Chansley, who became the face of the Capitol riot, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison but served just over 2 years.
Albert Watkins, Chansley’s former lawyer, praised the decision to release him, stating, “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.”
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BREAKING
Jacob Chansley, has been released 14 months early after @SpeakerMcCarthy released January 6th footage that proved he committed no crime. pic.twitter.com/Bccgls82Tf
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) March 30, 2023
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Watkins commended the US Bureau of Prisons for their decision.
In September 2021, Chansley pleaded guilty to civil disorder and violent entry to the Capitol.
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His early release comes just weeks after new video evidence surfaced, showing Capitol police officers escorting him down the halls of the building and through the doors of the US Senate.
This revelation prompted Watkins to call for Chansley’s release, as it raised questions about whether “The Shaman” was ever violent during his entry into the Capitol.
It remains unclear what led to Chansley’s early release, and Watkins has not yet commented on the matter.
Throughout his time in prison, Chansley, who suffers from mental health issues, spent 11 months in solitary confinement, according to Watkins.
He is now residing in a Residential Reentry Center in Phoenix, as indicated by BOP records.
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Chansley was one of the first rioters to enter the Capitol alongside other supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Prosecutors claim that he left a threatening note on then-Vice President Mike Pence’s Senate desk, declaring, “Justice is coming.”
However, Chansley has since stated that he no longer supports Trump.
In May 2021, a judge ordered Chansley to undergo a psychological evaluation.
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According to Watkins, Chansley has claimed that he believes he is “directly related to Jesus and Buddha.”
