WASHINGTON — A man from Georgia, who took part in the January 6th Capitol disturbance alongside members of the extremist group Oath Keepers, has been sentenced to probation and home confinement rather than prison time. This leniency came as a result of his cooperation with prosecutors in a high-profile case stemming from the events of January 6, 2021.
Brian Ulrich admitted guilt in 2022 to charges of seditious conspiracy, the gravest charge connected to the Capitol riot, which was fueled by supporters of then-President Donald Trump. Even after the November 5 election, judges at the federal court in Washington, D.C. have continued to hand down sentences to rioters, despite Trump’s promise to pardon those involved in the riot when he resumes office in January.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over the case, did not bring up the prospect of widespread pardons while sentencing Ulrich. Instead, he ordered three years of probation, which includes six months of home detention and 120 hours of community service, while praising Ulrich for his responsible actions that could aid in national healing. “It shouldn’t be overlooked that individuals were found guilty of seditious conspiracy,” Mehta noted, describing it as one of the most severe offenses an American can commit.
During the sentencing, Ulrich, who had his wife in attendance, expressed his remorse, apologizing to his family, the court, and “the people of D.C.” before the judge delivered his verdict. Prosecutor Kathryn Rakoczy highlighted that while many American citizens have begun to put the January 6 events behind them, legal professionals at the courthouse are still grappling with the implications of that day.
Prosecutors recommended that Ulrich receive a lighter sentence due to his cooperation throughout the legal process, which included his testimony in court. The 46-year-old, from Guyton, Georgia, was arrested in August 2021 and subsequently pleaded guilty to two charges: seditious conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding related to the Congress session to ratify Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
In a notable case, Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes received an 18-year prison sentence in May 2023 for his role in orchestrating plans to keep Trump in power despite losing the 2020 election. Several leaders and members of the Oath Keepers have been convicted on seditious conspiracy charges, with Ulrich being the first to be sentenced after pleading guilty to such charges in relation to the January 6 incident.
Prosecutors alleged that Rhodes and his associates had actively recruited members, gathered weapons, and prepared “quick reaction force” teams at a Virginia hotel, ready to respond to events in Washington, D.C. Though these weapons were never utilized, Ulrich was part of discussions in encrypted chats about using force to obstruct the peaceful transfer of presidential power following the election.
Court documents reveal that Ulrich echoed Rhodes’ sentiments about employing extreme measures, stating, “‘And if there’s a Civil War then there’s a Civil War,'” in relation to stopping the election certification. On January 6, as chaos unfolded, Ulrich and other Oath Keepers ventured into the Capitol building, although police halted his progress at the foyer near the East Rotunda doors.
His attorney, A.J. Balbo, noted that Ulrich distanced himself from the Oath Keepers after the riot and emphasized his history as a law-abiding citizen who worked hard to achieve the American Dream. Balbo asserted, “There is no chance that Mr. Ulrich will ever pose a threat to the Republic again.”
While Oath Keepers leaders claimed at trial that they had no intention of attacking the Capitol, prosecutors contended that Rhodes and his group took the opportunity to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College vote as the crowd stormed the building. Ulrich’s testimony linked his actions on January 6 to an implicit agreement he made with Rhodes and other Oath Keepers to halt the lawful transfer of presidential power.
Though Ulrich did not serve as a government witness during the first trial of Oath Keepers leaders, he did testify in a subsequent trial against other members of the group who were convicted. In total, three other defendants who aided in the Oath Keepers investigation have also received probationary sentences.
Stewart Rhodes, a Yale Law School alumnus, established the Oath Keepers in 2009, eventually building it into one of the most significant far-right extremist organizations in the United States. Following Rhodes’ arrest and conviction, the group has largely disbanded. The Justice Department’s extensive investigation into the Capitol riot has also led to significant convictions, including those of top leaders from the Proud Boys extremist group. Notably, former national chairman Enrique Tarrio is currently serving a 22-year prison sentence, the longest among all cases related to January 6.