Which North Texans charged in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot were pardoned by Trump?
Two North Texas men convicted on charges connected with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol have had their sentences commuted by President Donald Trump.
Stewart Rhodes of Granbury and Roberto Minuta of Prosper were among 14 people whose sentences were commuted “to time served as of January 20, 2025,” according to an executive order issued by Trump on his first day back in office.
Rhodes’ attorney confirmed to the Associated Press that Rhodes was released hours after Trump issued the order.
“This proclamation ends a grave national injustice that has been perpetrated upon the American people over the last four years and begins a process of national reconciliation,” the order reads.
Rhodes, the founder and leader of the national extremist and militia group Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on May 25, 2023. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding and tampering with documents and proceedings, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
Minuta, a member of Oath Keepers, was sentenced to more than four years in prison on June 1, 2023. He was found guilty of seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent members of Congress from discharging their official duties, according to a Department of Justice news release.
It’s not clear if Minuta has been released.
Trump’s order instructs the attorney general to “ensure that all individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, who are currently held in prison are released immediately.”
The order also grants a full pardon to all other individuals, not including the 14 whose sentences were commuted, who were convicted on charges related to rioting at the Capitol. Those with pending indictments will have the charges against them permanently dismissed.
Around 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the breach of the Capitol, according to the Department of Justice. More than 30 of those convicted have ties to North Texas.
Thomas Ballard of Fort Worth was sentenced to four years in prison in December 2023 after he was accused of attacking police officers with a baton and other weapons.
Kellye SoRelle of Granbury was sentenced to a year in prison on Jan. 17. SoRelle was an affiliate of Oath Keepers. She was charged with obstruction of justice and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
Luke Coffee, an actor from Dallas, was found guilty in December of six felony offenses, including assaulting law enforcement officers with a weapon, according to the Department of Justice.
