Key sworn witness to Jason Dolan’s testimony plan was ‘treason’

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In the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keeper founder Stuart Rhodes and four other members, a key government witness told the defendants on Jan. 1. On June 6, 2021, prepare to prevent Congress from confirming the results of the 2020 elections “by any means necessary” (including armed combat), understanding that their plans may be “treasonable.”

Jason Dolan’s testimony on Tuesday was the first at the trial of several cooperating oath-keeper witnesses who pleaded guilty in the Capitol attack investigation. The Florida man and others are expected to be critical to the prosecution as they plead under oath to the crimes Rhodes and co-defendants are charged with: conspiracy to obstruct and disrupt Congress, as Dolan said in plea documents That way, “intimidate and coerce government personnel.”

Prosecutors must prove that although Rhodes did not enter the building that day, he and co-defendants conspired to use force against the legitimate transition of presidential power, culminating in the Capitol attack that made Dolan a direct witness.

From Serbia to Roger Stone, Oath Keeper’s trial traces alleged Jan. 6 plot

Former Marines and Infantry chief Dolan, 19, recalls to jurors how he ended the bitter end on Dec. 6, 2020 After serving five overseas deployments, should he ask his family to let him go to war again. But this time it should be Against fellow Americans, “No pay, no return, no reward, no home, and if I’m lucky, I’ll be jailed, labeled for treason, or a bullet from someone I’m trying to protect.”

In the stands, Dolan said he understood it “would be a treasonous fight against what I see as an illegitimate form of government,” but the sworn-in has discussed it, and Rhodes has declared that even if President Donald Trump does nothing, They will do the same. That means, Dolan said, “We’re going to take action to stop certifying elections in any way necessary. That’s why we’re carrying guns.”

Dolan said it was his understanding that if Trump called for private militias to stay in office, “we’d basically be fighting the pro-Biden forces with the pro-Trump forces.”

“Inside the U.S. government?” asked U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Nestler.

“Yes,” Dolan replied, The pro-Trump side will fight forces loyal to Congress and the Democratic Party.

Dolan, 46, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to conspiracy, aiding and abetting to obstruct Congress from confirming the results of the 2020 election.

A former security and transportation and reception chief at the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Dolan admits he was one of a group that forced his way into the Capitol East Rotunda door after walking down a single row of steps wearing a camouflage vest and helmet. Goggles and Oath Keeper badge.

Dolan, who cooperated in hopes of slashing a potential five to seven-year sentence, said he joined others in bringing rifles, pistols and ammunition to the Washington area where they hid weapons at the Ballston Hotel in case of “rapid reaction forces.” QRF) is needed. Dolan said he communicated, met and identified on the defense table with Rhodes and Florida co-defendants Kelly Meggs and Kenneth Harrison.

Audio excerpt from Nov. 11 conference call with Stewart Rhodes and other swearers. January 9, 2020, detailed plans for January’s “guerrilla warfare”. June 6, 2021. (Video: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia)

Inside the Capitol, Dolan testified that he repeatedly chanted “Treason!” He said he believed lawmakers may have been “afraid to do the right thing” and later thwarted the investigation by resetting his phone, deleting photos and encrypting communications inside the Capitol.

Dolan has appeared at Rhodes’ trial, now in its third week, along with testimony from any of the three others who have pleaded guilty to inciting the conspiracy, which could be part of whether prosecutors can put Rhodes and his co-defendants’ The core of the conduct that distinguishes it from that of the nearly 300 accused is either an attempt or conspiracy to obstruct Congress, but not the use of force against the government. .

Only 19 people – all affiliated with extreme right-wing groups Oath Keepers and Proud Boys – have been charged with sedition conspiracy, accused of playing a huge role in mobilizing and planning the violence that day.Conspiracy and seditious conspiracy The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Rhodes and the four co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. Their lawyers said the QRF was only used for defensive purposes if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act to mobilize the military and militias to stay in power. Their lawyers also said they complied with all gun laws and that they came to Washington as security for peacekeepers and Republican dignitaries.

Through more than a dozen witnesses so far, prosecutors have shown jurors many of the military rifles that Oath Keepers members have brought to the area, including Dolan’s, which he Said he knew it because he made it himself.

On Monday, FBI special agent Sylvia Hilgman testified that Rhodes spent as much as $20,000 on at least three rifles and a semi-automatic shotgun on his way to Washington, which is his 2021 A portion of the $150,000 withdrawn from the Oathkeeper’s bank account in January 2009.

“The purpose of the QRF is to prevent Biden from taking power in any form,” Hilgman testified. “I think the QRF is about taking Washington”

Dolan testified that he was ready to take up arms with divided federal troops. But in hindsight, he said, his path was “very naive and downright stupid”. He said he was grateful Trump did not unleash further violence.

Oath Keepers attorney Kellye SoRelle was arrested in January. 6 charges

Dolan has not been charged with inciting conspiracy, if he is convicted of this crime, Will end his military benefits, which help support his wife and daughter. He said he left his hotel job before undergoing hip replacement surgery in 2018 or 2019 — the result of five or six surgeries for “long-term problems, bowel problems and serious hip and foot injuries” in military service climax.

In 2020, he said, he “spent a lot of nights drinking in the garage trying to get rid of the pain,” from six beers to half a bottle of vodka, and he discovered Oathkeeper.

“It’s good to know that there are others who feel the same way I do,” Dolan said. He believes the group is “patriotic for our country” and believes in “the same idea that the election was stolen, or at least that it was stolen.”

Dolan said that if a minority objected to what they saw as “an illegal form of government, [they] will be put in jail. “

By contrast, “10,000” will bring you a war, the Oathmaker says on Signal. If he goes to the Capitol on the afternoon of January 1st. 6. Dolan told jurors: “Here are 100,000 people who look like [angry] For me at least that day, if anything was going to prevent the certification of the election, it was this. “

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