William Todd Wilson pleads guilty
For his acts before, during, and after the breach of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, a regional commander of the Oath Keepers pleaded guilty today to seditious conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding. By disrupting a joint session of the United States Congress summoned to identify and tally the electoral votes linked to the presidential election, he and others hoped to prevent the transfer of power.
In connection with the Capitol breach, William Todd Wilson, 45, of Newton Grove, North Carolina, pled guilty to seditious conspiracy in the District of Columbia. Wilson agreed to cooperate with the government’s ongoing investigation as part of his plea deal
Wilson is the third member of the Oath Keepers to plead guilty to charges of seditious conspiracy and obstruction of justice. On March 2, 2022, Joshua James, 34, of Arab, Alabama, pled guilty. On April 29, 2022, Brian Ulrich, 44, of Guyton, Georgia, pled guilty.
Wilson had been an Oath Keeper member since 2016, according to court filings. He was the chapter leader in Sampson County, North Carolina. The Oath Keepers are a huge but disorganized group of people, some of whom are affiliated with militias. Though anybody can join the Oath Keepers, they specifically target current and former military, law enforcement, and first-responder professionals.
As stated by William Todd Wilson
Wilson, a military and law enforcement veteran, stated in his guilty plea that he conspired with others to use force to impede, hinder, and delay the implementation of US laws governing the transfer of presidential power. He and others used encrypted and private communications, had a range of weaponry, were dressed in combat and tactical gear, and were ready to respond to a call to arms.
Wilson and other conspirators, according to prosecution documents, communicated often in the weeks preceding up to Jan. 6, often using an encrypted messaging app called “Signal.” “It is time to fight!” Wilson wrote in a post on December 14, 2020. “Things are about to get real… and we need to be ready as ever!” he wrote in another post on Dec. 30, 2020. “That’s why I have all my gear with me,” Wilson answered on January 5, 2021, in response to a message predicting trouble following the next day’s Congressional proceedings.
Wilson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail for seditious conspiracy and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as possible financial penalties. No particular date has been scheduled for the sentencing.
Virtually 800 people have been detained in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the US Capitol in the 15 months from January 6, 2021, including over 250 people accused of assaulting or hindering law enforcement. The investigation is still underway.
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