An attorney who is a close advisor to the leader of the far-right group Oath Keepers was arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, the Washington Post reports. Kellye SoRelle, 43, was indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of a federal proceeding, tampering with documents and misdemeanor trespassing in a restricted building or grounds. But she was not included among her fellow extremists, including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who are charged with seditious conspiracy.
SoRelle, who was arrested in Texas, was with Rhodes outside the Capitol on Jan. 6 but has said she did not enter the building. She has emerged in court filings as a point of contact between Rhodes and Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, a leader of the Proud Boys, on the eve of the Jan. 6 breach. U.S. authorities have alleged that members of the Oath Keepers coordinated travel, equipment and firearms and stashed weapons outside Washington, ready “to answer Rhodes’ call to take up arms at Rhodes’ direction.” In plea papers, cooperating Oath Keepers defendants have admitted to participating in a group that forced entry through the East Capitol Rotunda doors wearing camouflage vests, helmets, goggles and Oath Keepers insignia. Rhodes and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and Rhodes in an interview said there was no plan to breach the Capitol. He said the reason for the firearms was in case they were needed as a “quick reaction force” if President Donald Trump invoked the Insurrection Act and mobilized armed groups to keep himself in office. As news of SoRelle's arrest broke, Trump announced he would issue full pardons and a government apology to Capitol riot defendants if he wins re-election in 2024.
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