Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer is going to be spending some more time behind bars. Schaffer appeared in court today and attempted to get bail or even have the charges dismissed, but a federal judge wasn't having it.
Schaffer appeared via video conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, and was ordered to be held without bail until his trial begins for the six federal charges related to his participation in the riots that happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. Footage has surfaced recently show Schaffer at the scene.
Schaffer turned himself into authorities on January 17. WISH-TV reports U.S. government officials not to grant Schaffer bail.
Last week, attorneys for Schaffer filed a motion in court to dismiss all charges against Schaffer over his participation in the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol building.
Citing the Speedy Trial Act, the attorneys requested all charges be dismissed because Schaffer hasn't been charged with any crime quickly enough. As the site puts it, "Since the Speedy Trial Act required the government to file an information or an indictment within 30 days of Schaffer's arrest, the 'complaint must be dismissed,' they wrote."
Politico reports that DC federal prosecutors have been stretched thin due to the riots. In all of last year, the court recorded 290 cases. This year, there are already 199 cases within three months, mostly due to the riots.
Schaffer has previously identified as “a constitutional conservative.”
The FBI has charged Schaffer with six different charges, one of which accuses him of spraying Capitol police with bear spray, a more potent form of pepper spray. Schaffer is not guaranteed bail, and must prove that he is not a threat to himself or the public to be granted so. Schaffer is dealing with the following charges:
- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority
- Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business
- Knowingly Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence Against any Person or Property in any Restricted Building or Grounds
- Violent Entry and Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
- Engaging in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building
- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
Schaffer was wearing an Oath Keepers hat during the raid as is believed to be a member of the group. The Indiana chapter of the Oath Keepers distanced themselves from Schaffer, without directly naming him, saying he was never a member of their chapter.
Multiple members of Iced Earth have since quit the band. This follows Hansi Kürsch's departure from Demons & Wizards as well.
