Graydon Young, a 54-year-old member of the Oath Keepers from Florida, has pleaded guilty to two charges related to the January 6th domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol, and in doing so, became the first defendant in the incident to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge, CNN reports.
Young, who is cooperating with investigators, was originally charged with five crimes, but pleaded guilty to two felony counts: conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding. He could face more than five years in prison, depending on the recommendations of prosecutors based on his level of cooperation. He will also pay $2,000 in restitution for damage to the building.
Young’s guilty plea is the first in a series of cases the Justice Department is bringing against groups like the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys and the III Percenters for conspiring before the January 6th event to attack the Capitol and disrupt Congressional proceedings to certify the Electoral College vote.
Young’s co-defendants in the case, including his brother, are challenging their charges and will likely end up at trial, one in which Young may testify as a witness for the prosecution.