A member of the Oath Keepers pleaded guilty on Friday to seditious conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding for his actions before, during and after the breach of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, a statement released by the US Attorney’s Office in Washington said.
Brian Ulrich of Georgia agreed to co-operate with investigators, handing a big win to prosecutors as they prepare for a likely trial against the far-right group's founder.
As part of the plea agreement, Ulrich has agreed to co-operate with the US Justice Department's investigation.
Ulrich is the second Oath Keepers member to plead guilty to seditious conspiracy and obstruction charges and is one of 11 members charged with seditious conspiracy in an indictment unsealed in January.
Joshua James of Alabama pleaded guilty in March with the remaining nine accused have pleaded not guilty, including Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers.
Court documents show that Ulrich was a member of the Georgia chapter of the Oath Keepers, which will accept anyone as a member, though they often focus on recruiting current and former military, law enforcement and first-responder personnel.
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An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of former president Donald Trump gather in front of the US Capitol Building in Washington, US, January 6, 2021. Reuters -
A supporter of US President Donald J. Trump sits on the desk of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after supporters of US President Donald J. Trump breached the US Capitol security in Washington. EPA -
Police detain a person as supporters of US President Donald Trump protest outside the US Capitol. AFP -
Protesters enter the US Capitol Building. AFP -
A protester holds a Trump flag inside the US Capitol Building near the Senate Chamber. AFP -
US Capitol police officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. AFP -
Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. AFP -
Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol. AFP -
Congress staffers barricade themselves after Trump supporters stormed inside the US Capitol. AFP -
Congress staffers hold up their hands while Capitol Police Swat teams check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump supporters. AFP -
US Capitol Police stand detain protesters outside of the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress. AFP -
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits at a desk after invading the Capitol Building. AFP -
A protester sits in the Senate Chamber. AFP -
Pro-Trump protesters tear down a barricade as they clash with Capitol police during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results by the US Congress. Reuters -
Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda. AFP -
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol's Rotunda. AFP -
A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber. AFP -
Riot police prepare to move demonstrators away from the US Capitol. AFP -
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol. AFP -
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces, as they storm the US Capitol. AFP -
A supporter of US President Donald Trump wears a gas mask as he protests after storming the US Capitol. AFP -
Pro-Trump supporters storm the US Capitol following a rally. AFP -
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol. AFP -
US President Donald Trump is seen on TV from a video message released on Twitter addressing rioters at the US Capitol, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC. AFP -
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP -
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol Rotunda. AFP -
Paramedics perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a patient. AFP -
A wounded protester is carried on barricade as demonstrators breach the US Capital building grounds. Bloomberg -
US Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi preside over a joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 Electoral College results after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol earlier in the day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. EPA -
Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of the morning, after protesters stormed the Capitol in Washington. AP
In his guilty plea, Ulrich confessed to conspiring with other Oath Keeper members and affiliates to “use force to prevent, hinder and delay the execution of the laws of the United States governing the transfer of presidential power”.
Prosecutors say that he used the smartphone application Signal to send encrypted and private communications and to encourage others to join him.
In one chat, before January 6, he messaged the group: “I seriously wonder what it would take just to get every patriot marching around the capital armed? Just to show our government how powerless they are!”
In another, Ulrich indicated that “civil war” could be necessary if Joe Biden became president and added: “I made my peace with God before I joined.”
Before heading to Washington for January 6, Ulrich purchased tactical gear and other items, including two-way radio receivers, a recon backpack, a tactical holster, a medical tourniquet and a half-skull motorcycle helmet.
US District Judge Amit Mehta will sentence Ulrich. Both charges carry up to 20 years in prison, along with potential financial penalties.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been set, with Ulrich in federal custody until that hearing.
