Kellye SoRelle, a former attorney for the far-right Oath Keepers, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 6 Capitol riot. SoRelle, who previously served as the group’s general counsel, now faces sentencing in early 2025.
Just The News reported that the plea agreement, reached on Wednesday, marks a significant development in the ongoing legal fallout from the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Kellye SoRelle was once a prominent figure within the Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia group known for its involvement in the Capitol riot. As the group’s general counsel, she provided legal advice and representation, a role that has now brought her under intense legal scrutiny.
SoRelle's legal troubles began in 2022 when she was arrested in Texas on charges related to the Capitol riot. Her case has since been marked by significant delays, largely due to concerns about her mental health. These concerns were serious enough that over a year ago, experts determined she was mentally incompetent to stand trial.
In November 2023, SoRelle reported to the federal Bureau of Prisons for treatment. Her mental health treatment was a crucial step in moving her case forward, culminating in a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that found her competent to stand trial.
On Wednesday, SoRelle entered a guilty plea to two charges: felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
The felony obstruction of justice charge is particularly serious, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. However, sentencing guidelines suggest a significantly shorter sentence, with a recommended maximum of 16 months.
The plea agreement represents a notable turn in SoRelle’s case, as it not only acknowledges her role in the events of January 6 but also positions her for a sentencing hearing early next year.
Judge Mehta has scheduled her sentencing for January 17, 2025, where the court will determine the exact length of her sentence based on the guidelines and the specifics of her case.
The misdemeanor charge related to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds underscores SoRelle’s direct involvement in the events at the Capitol. This charge, while less severe than the felony obstruction, still carries significant legal consequences, reflecting the gravity of the actions that took place on that day.
SoRelle’s case has been anything but straightforward. Her initial arrest in Texas was followed by a prolonged period of uncertainty, as questions about her mental competence dominated the proceedings. The delay in her case was largely due to the need for a thorough assessment of her mental health, a process that took over a year to resolve.
The experts who examined SoRelle concluded that she was mentally incompetent to stand trial, leading to a temporary halt in the legal process.
This finding necessitated her admission to the federal Bureau of Prisons in November 2023 for treatment. It was only after this treatment that the court found her fit to proceed with her case.
The ruling by Judge Mehta that SoRelle was competent to stand trial was a pivotal moment in her legal journey, allowing the case to move forward and ultimately leading to her guilty plea.
With her guilty plea now on record, SoRelle’s fate rests in the hands of the court. The upcoming sentencing hearing on January 17, 2025, will be a critical moment in determining the consequences she will face for her involvement in the Capitol riot.
The felony obstruction of justice charge, which carries the possibility of a 20-year sentence, will be a focal point of the sentencing hearing.
However, the recommended maximum sentence of 16 months suggests that the court may take into account various factors, including her mental health history, in determining the final sentence.
The sentencing will also address the misdemeanor charge, which, while less severe, still represents a serious breach of the law. The court’s decision will reflect not only the legal standards but also the broader context of the January 6 events and SoRelle’s role within the Oath Keepers.
