A retired Navy intelligence officer, who was recently acquitted of the most serious charges in his U.S. Capitol attack trial alongside Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, received his sentence on Friday. Thomas Caldwell was cleared by a jury in Washington's federal court of seditious conspiracy and two other conspiracy offenses related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. One of the two counts he was found guilty of was dismissed following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.
During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Caldwell assisted in coordinating “quick reaction force” teams for the Oath Keepers stationed outside the capital city to potentially provide weapons to extremists if needed. However, these weapons were never deployed, and the Oath Keepers' defense lawyers argued that they were present solely for defensive purposes in case of attacks from left-wing activists.
Caldwell, who did not enter the Capitol building, testified that messages he sent leading up to Jan. 6, including one discussing the idea of using a boat to transport “heavy weapons” across the Potomac River, were not serious and described them as “creative writing.” His defense emphasized his status as a disabled veteran who sometimes requires a cane to walk, asserting that he was not capable of participating in any violent activities.
Prosecutors had sought a four-year prison sentence for Caldwell on his remaining obstruction of justice offense conviction for deleting messages after the riot. They characterized him as “an avid and willing participant in an unprecedented crime.”
Caldwell's attorney argued that his client's acquittal on the conspiracy charges and his military service, which resulted in debilitating injuries, warranted a sentence of time served. Caldwell had already spent over 50 days in custody following his arrest in 2021.
Following the sentencing, Caldwell's attorney suggested that he should be considered for a pardon by former President Trump, who has indicated his intention to pardon a significant number of individuals charged in connection with the U.S. Capitol attack.
Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers founder, is among the 14 defendants convicted of seditious conspiracy for their alleged involvement in violent plots to maintain Trump in power. Rhodes is currently serving an 18-year prison sentence.
