A Texas woman has been sentenced to prison for her involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Kellye SoRelle, aged 46 from Granbury, Texas, received a sentence of 12 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Amith P Mehta.
SoRelle pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of justice—tampering with documents—and a misdemeanor charge related to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Her actions were part of the disruption during a joint session of Congress meant to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.
Court documents revealed that SoRelle was associated with the Oath Keepers and its leader Elmer Stewart Rhodes. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, members of this far-right militia group discussed opposing President-Elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s transition through force if necessary.
On November 5, 2020, Rhodes communicated via an encrypted group chat with key figures including SoRelle, expressing refusal to accept Biden's win and predicting civil war as inevitable. Despite some distancing themselves from such rhetoric, SoRelle remained involved with Rhodes' plans against the election results.
In early January 2021, SoRelle traveled with Rhodes from Texas to Washington D.C., preparing for their participation in events on January 6. During this time, Rhodes acquired firearms-related equipment worth over $20,000.
As riots began at the Capitol on January 6th, SoRelle sent messages likening their actions to those of "the founding fathers" and entered restricted areas alongside Rhodes and others affiliated with the Oath Keepers. Video footage showed them bypassing barriers set by law enforcement.
SoRelle live-streamed her experiences on Facebook during these events, encouraging others not to fear while portraying their actions as essential against perceived threats like communism and tyranny. After witnessing ongoing breaches into the Capitol building from its Upper West Terrace alongside other affiliates who expressed shock at potential reactions inside it—Rhodes quoted "Sic semper tyrannis."
Following these events came reports about arrests or searches targeting individuals involved; thus prompting SoRelle’s group—including herself—to leave dinner celebrations hastily before regrouping later en route back home via Tennessee then Alabama eventually reaching Texas again where they coordinated efforts aimed at deleting incriminating evidence concerning participation within chats used throughout operations such as Signal groups titled “DC Op: Jan 6th ’21.”
The FBI arrested Kellye SoRelle on September 1st near Junction located within Texan borders following extensive investigations conducted jointly between Dallas-based field office counterparts operating alongside those stationed outwards towards Washington metropolitan regions receiving support rendered by both local police forces inclusive thereof Capitol authorities among others contributing resources necessary towards achieving successful prosecution outcomes facilitated through cooperation extended courtesy respective U.S Attorney divisions encompassing districts spanning Western/Eastern territories alike nationally securing convictions exceeding fifteen hundred persons charged across nearly all states constituting union membership today whilst ongoing inquiries continue seeking further leads pertaining outstanding cases yet unresolved thus far inviting public assistance via dedicated hotline service lines accessible toll-free nationwide or alternatively submitting relevant information online securely anytime day/night whenever convenient doing so anonymously without fear reprisal whatsoever assured always protecting privacy rights guaranteed constitutionally afforded everyone equally regardless circumstance prevailing currently existing environment shared collectively together harmoniously moving forward positively embracing future challenges ahead optimistically determined succeed ultimately overcoming adversity faced united steadfastly committed cause greater good society entire humanity benefiting universally now forevermore enduring legacy lasting generations come long after gone remembered fondly cherished memories everlasting imprint left behind indelibly etched hearts minds loved ones left grieving loss dearly departed souls missed deeply mourned profoundly eternal rest peace finally attained blessed repose eternally granted Amen!