Ex-Marine to Testify Against Oath Keepers After Pleading Guilty to Capitol Riot Charges

A member of the far-right militia group, the Oath Keepers, has pleaded guilty to involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. The former Marine's could help lead to the indictment of more extremists and potentially assist the government in prevent other Marines from following his path.

Jason Dolan, 45, of Wellington, Florida, served with the United States Marine Corps prior to taking a job as a security guard at the Four Seasons resort in Palm Beach. As a member of the Oath Keepers, he said he worked to "defend the Constitution" by serving the group in its targeted recruitment of current and former police and military members.

Dolan is the third Oath Keeper to plead guilty to conspiracy charges for his involvement in the riot. More than 20 Oath Keepers have been accused of conspiring to block the certification of President Joe Biden's victory following last year's election.

Following his plea of one count of conspiracy and one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, Dolan has agreed to testify for the government in any of its upcoming trials. While Dolan does not have any previous convictions, federal sentencing guidelines dictate he could serve up to 63 to 78 months in prison. In exchange for his "substantial assistance," the court could lower his sentence.

Members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers face some of the most serious charges among the over 600 people who stormed the Capitol on January 6. Dressed in military-style fatigues, the Oath Keepers led a group of people up the stairs and through the doors of the building.

According to a 2019 report by Congress, right-wing extremist groups serve as the most significant domestic terrorism threat in the country. This follows a report by the FBI in the early 2000s stating that right-wing extremist groups overtook left-wing groups in the 1990s to become the country's most "dangerous domestic threat."

In May, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that far-right groups continue to grow within the United States, prompting a number of warnings from politicians. One of those politicians was former President George W. Bush who took a moment to express his concern over the threat during the anniversary of 9/11.

"We have seen growing evidence that the dangers to our country can come, not only across borders, but from violence that gathers within," Bush said. "There is little cultural overlaps between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home.… They are children of the same foul spirit, and it is our continuing duty to confront them."