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Jon Ryan Schaffer

January 6 defendant

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Jon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal songwriter from Indiana who built a band that toured the world for thirty years, and he was the first January 6 defendant in the country to stand up and take a plea. He founded Iced Earth in 1984 and wrote its catalog. He built the side project Sons of Liberty. He is from Franklin County, Indiana, and was arrested at his home in Noblesville. FACT. Thirty years of records. Thirty years of stages in Europe and South America and every state in this country. That is what Jon Ryan Schaffer actually is: a working musician who wrote songs about American history and put in the road miles to play them. THE LEGAL FIGHT Jon Ryan Schaffer turned himself in on January 17, 2021, eleven days after January 6. FACT, per the DOJ record. He spent 89 days in jail before release. FACT, per Metal Injection. On April 16, 2021 he was charged by information and pleaded guilty to two counts. He was the first January 6 defendant in the country to enter a guilty plea. He was released on personal recognizance. FACT, per the DOJ record and WUSA9. He was sentenced to three years of probation, community service, and a fine. No prison sentence. FACT, per Blabbermouth and Metal Injection. At sentencing he issued a public apology and broke a three year silence. THEIR ACCOUNT. On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted clemency covering the January 6 prosecutions. FACT. WHERE HE IS NOW Jon Ryan Schaffer gave his first interview since the arrest in April 2025 and has been working on a return, including a revised collection of Sons of Liberty material. FACT, per Consequence and theprp.com. The man went back to work. THE CASE RECORD Case 1:21-cr-306, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Arrested 1/17/21 in Noblesville, Indiana. Charged by information 4/16/21. Pleaded guilty to Counts 1 and 2. Released on personal recognizance. Charges per the DOJ record: Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority; Disrupting the Orderly Conduct of Government Business; Knowingly Engages 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; Engage in an Act of Physical Violence in a Capitol Building; Parade, Demonstrate, or Picket in a Capitol Building. This profile is unclaimed. If this is you — or your family — claiming it is free, forever.