Kelly Meggs, the leader of the Florida contingent of the Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May 2023 for violently trying to keep President Donald Trump in power by leading and participating in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Meggs was among several members of the Oath Keepers, including its leader Stewart Rhodes, sentenced to seditious conspiracy.
District Judge Amit Mehta said that “with the possible exception of Stewart Rhodes, Meggs was the intellectual and moral center of this conspiracy.”
A jury had previously found Meggs guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, and tampering with documents or proceedings.
Mehta expressed his disgust at Meggs’ expression of joy at the prospect of harming — even murdering — Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on January 6.
Prosecutors said an unidentified rioter sent Meggs a text that said he “[w]as hoping to see Nancy’s head rolling down the front steps.”
Meggs, one of the conspiracy’s “intellectual and moral” centers, replied: “We looked forward her” (sic).
Judge Mehta noted: “The word ‘forward’ is almost certainly a typo, and what defendant meant to convey is that he and others ‘looked for’ Speaker Pelosi. This new evidence only confirms the court’s original assessment of defendant’s dangerousness, and that his release would endanger the community.”
Prosecutors also said that Meggs and wife Connie joked about destroying the clothing and gear that he wore to the Capitol on January 6: “should have had your gear on hero LOL (sic).”
Her husband responded: “I lost it all in a boating accident.”
Life is funny.
One minute you’re yukking it up about overthrowing the government and the next you’re charged with seditious conspiracy.
Connie Meggs was sentenced to 15 months in prison for obstruction of Congress.
“Far from a hapless tag-along,” the sentencing memorandum said, “Connie Meggs fully joined and participated in these conspiracies and obstruction, and her lack of remorse is troubling. Her actions and lies warrant a significant sentence.”
During her trial Connie Meggs condemned her husband’s involvement in the insurrection and said he kept his “violent rhetoric” from her.
“He chose the Oath Keepers over his family,” she said.
Connie Meggs said she was unaware of her husband’s text messages about the attack until they were communicated during his trial.
Testimony showed that Kelly Meggs and other Oath Keepers were motivated to come to Washington D.C. after President Trump’s social media post in December that promised a “wild” protest on January 6
https://www.newsweek.com/capitol-rioter-breaks-oath-keeper-husband-shocking-court-moment-1823557
