WASHINGTON (AP) — Two former members of the far-right group the Oath Keepers, including a heavy metal band guitarist, avoided prison time Friday for their roles in prison. January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot After pleading guilty to federal charges and cooperating with investigators.

Jon Ryan Schaffer, who founded the band Iced Earth The first defendant to plead guilty on January 6 In accepting the three-year probation sentence, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta credited Schaffer for his decision to quickly accept responsibility.

In a separate case Friday, another former Oath Keeper was sentenced to probation after a judge and prosecutor praised him for his extensive cooperation with investigators, including his testimony in two cases. The judge told Caleb Berry, 23, that the American people owe him a “debt of gratitude” for taking the witness stand to testify against members of the militia group about their actions on January 6.

“Agreeing to cooperate and telling the world takes courage, it takes courage, but it also comes with some risks for you,” Mehta said to Berry, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction charges in 2021.

Berry, who stood before the judge with his hands behind his back, said he was grateful to the prosecutors who charged him because it opened his eyes to the “path of radicalization” he was headed for. Berry apologized to his family and “the entire country.” Decisions he says he will regret for the rest of his life.

“I acted in a stupid way… I let my emotions get the best of me,” he said.

Berry gave what prosecutors described as “significant” testimony against Oath Keepers members convicted of seditious conspiracy Because he planned to keep then-President Donald Trump in power by force. Berry told jurors that he believed Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes wanted his followers to be prepared to “fight against the federal government.”

According to court documents, Berry told jurors at a hearing that he understood Rhodes’ words, saying, “We had to act or we would be dead.” He was sentenced to 18 years in prison last year.

Schaffer pleaded guilty to two charges in an agreement with prosecutors in April 2021: obstructing an official hearing and entering and remaining in a restricted building with a dangerous or deadly weapon. He was not accused of participating in any pre-planning or coordination with other Oath Keepers members.

Before the judge announced his sentence, Schaffer apologized to his fans and said he was deeply sorry for the “pain and embarrassment” his actions had caused.

“I promise: I won’t let you down,” Schaffer told the judge.

Schaffer came to Washington for the “Million MAGA March” in November 2020 to protest the election results. There he told a journalist that “a group of thugs and criminals have hijacked this country”, adding: “We see you and we see you too.” “I’m going downstairs, mark my words,” he said, according to court documents.

On Jan. 6, Schaffer was wearing a hat and tactical vest that read “Life Member of the Oathbound” and was carrying a can of bear spray. Prosecutors say he was one of the first people to enter the Capitol through the doors on the northwest side of the building.

His lawyer, Marc Victor, said he was inside for about 10 minutes, did not participate in any violence or destruction, and spent nearly three months in jail after his arrest. Victor told the judge that Schaffer believed the 2020 election was fraudulent and the country was “on the verge of takeover” when he attacked the Capitol.

“He was wrong, but he believed it,” Victor said. “He was misled by people in the executive branch.”

More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Of those, nearly 1,200 pleaded guilty or were convicted after cases decided by judges and juries. And more than 1,000 of the defendants were convicted; Roughly two-thirds were sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few days to several days. 22 years.