A Santa Ynez Valley couple have pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge for breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, while protesting election results, admitting they didn’t have the right to enter the facility.
Karen Jane Jones, a member of the Santa Ynez Community Services District board, and her husband, Robert Walter Jones, changed their pleas in a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Both were represented by Santa Barbara-based attorney Robert Sanger, who declined to comment Friday.
Late last year, on Dec. 14, the Joneses were arrested. She was taken into custody in Austin, Texas, while he was arrested in Los Angeles.
Under the agreement with federal prosecutors, they pleaded guilty to entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
“Both Robert Jones and Karen Jones knew that they did not have authority to enter the building at the times they entered,” according to a statement of facts they each signed as part of the plea deal.
They originally faced four misdemeanor charges, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
Arrest warrants for the couple were issued Nov. 28 by a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia.
Online sleuths had identified the couple as being among those who entered the Capitol amid protests related to the joint session of the Congress to certify the Electoral College vote count after the 2020 presidential election.
FBI agents used records obtained from cellphones and email accounts, along with video and images on Jan. 6, to compile their case. Investigators also conducted surveillance of Karen Jones at her California residence.
The Joneses allegedly breached the perimeter establishing restricted grounds and eventually entered the Capitol building, federal investigators contend.
“Shortly before 3:00 p.m., the co-defendants joined a mob of rioters at the base of the east central stairs outside of the building, where they confronted a line of police officers who were attempting to stop the crowd from proceeding up the steps,” according to the statement of facts.
“The officers were eventually pushed back into the building, and the co-defendants proceeded to climb the stairs toward the Rotunda doors. They waited several minutes outside of the Rotunda doors before they were able to get inside.”
Investigators used video to determine the pair were inside the Capitol for about 30 minutes in total.
“They entered the Rotunda, where they joined a large mob of people,” according to the statement of facts. “While in the Rotunda, law enforcement officers directed the co-defendants to leave the building. Neither co-defendant left the building.”
After exiting through the Rotunda doors, they remained on the Capitol grounds and lingered on the east central stairs, according to the statement of facts.
“While there, Karen Jones participated in an ‘open mic’ session, where she stated, ‘Hi, I’m Karen Jones. I’m from Santa Ynez, California — home of the Reagan Ranch — and I’m very proud to be here.
“I was in the first wave up the stairs. I lucked out. Thank you to all the people who carried me in the crowd. Took a little pepper spray. I didn’t think I’d ever be sprayed by cops in my own country. I support the police, but I would like everyone to please join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.”
The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, and supervised release for up to a year.
However, under the federal sentencing guidelines that factor in their lack of criminal history, the court could order them to spend zero to six months in prison and pay a fine ranging from $200 to $9,500.
Federal officials said those breaching the Capitol caused nearly $3 million in damages to the U.S. Capitol and additional losses to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Under the plea deal, they agreed to each pay $500 in restitution.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 16. They remain out of custody on their own recognizance.
Meanwhile, a GiveSendGo fundraising page had raised more than $2,800 toward the $25,000 goal for legal expenses related to their attendance at “an election integrity protest,” contending they were “peacefully assembling in the rotunda and saying the Pledge of Allegiance on the Capitol steps.”
“There is still a long road ahead before a final sentencing and their fixed incomes and savings are being eaten away by legal fees,” according to the site, adding they are reluctant to ask for financial support.
“Your donations will help pay for their legal representation and will give them hope and faith in believing that Americans are still free to exercise their constitutionally protected rights in this great nation.”