Kellye SoRelle, an attorney for the far-right Oath Keepers, pleaded guilty to instructing members of the group to delete their text messages after the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. SoRelle, who also volunteered for Lawyers for Trump during efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, was first charged in 2022 but was temporarily ruled incompetent to stand trial and sent for mental health treatment. She pleaded guilty to charges including tampering with evidence, which could lead to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and is set to be sentenced in January.
SoRelle had close ties to pro-Trump and “Stop the Steal” groups following the 2020 presidential election, according to court documents and her public statements. She was the former girlfriend of Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers, and claimed to be the militia’s general counsel. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy related to the January 6 Capitol riot and was sentenced to serve 18 years in prison. Prosecutors presented evidence showing how Rhodes and SoRelle worked together in the weeks surrounding the riot, including attending an underground meeting the night before the violence and being photographed together outside the Capitol during the riot.
At Rhodes’ trial, prosecutors alleged that SoRelle sent messages on behalf of Rhodes to his followers as they drove back to Texas after January 6. One message instructed them to “clean up” their chats, which SoRelle admitted to typing on his behalf and understood as a directive to his crew. SoRelle’s involvement with the Oath Keepers and her close relationship with Rhodes raise questions about the extent of her participation in planning and executing the events of the Capitol riot. The guilty plea highlights the legal consequences faced by individuals involved in perpetrating or assisting criminal activities, particularly in cases as high profile as the Capitol siege.
The legal implications of SoRelle’s guilty plea extend beyond her personal involvement in tampering with evidence after the Capitol riot. The case also sheds light on the role of legal professionals in supporting extremist groups and individuals engaged in criminal activities. SoRelle’s ties to pro-Trump groups, her involvement with “Stop the Steal” efforts, and her association with Rhodes and the Oath Keepers raise concerns about the ethical responsibilities of lawyers and their obligation to adhere to laws and regulations. The legal profession faces scrutiny and potential reforms to prevent attorneys from enabling or facilitating illegal conduct in the future.
The guilty plea by SoRelle underscores the ongoing investigations and prosecutions related to the Capitol riot, highlighting the complexity and interconnectedness of extremist groups and their actions. The case reveals how influential figures like Rhodes and individuals like SoRelle can collaborate to plan and execute unlawful activities with far-reaching consequences. The legal system’s response to such criminal behavior, including tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges, serves as a deterrent to others contemplating similar actions. The justice system’s ability to hold individuals accountable for their roles in inciting, organizing, or participating in acts of violence is crucial in upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety.
As SoRelle awaits sentencing in January, the implications of her guilty plea reverberate across the legal profession and the broader societal context. The case serves as a reminder of the responsibilities and obligations of legal professionals to uphold the law and act ethically in their professional capacities. It also underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring and addressing extremist and radical groups that pose a threat to democratic institutions and the rule of law. By holding individuals like SoRelle accountable for their actions, the legal system sends a clear message that illegal conduct, including tampering with evidence and supporting seditious activities, will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences.
