Two more members of the far-right organization Oath Keepers are to be sentenced today for their role in the January 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill by supporters of Donald Trump, who were trying to overturn his election defeat. Yesterday its founder was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Pair Jessica Watkins and Kenneth Harrelson was found guilty in November by a jury in Washington federal court of obstruction of justice for his role in the storming of the Capitol in which protesters clashed with police, broke windows and forced lawmakers to run for their lives.

Federal prosecutors recommended that Judge Amit Meta in Washington sentence Watkins to 18 years in prison and Harrelson to 15 years.

They are due to appear in court today a day after Meta ruled to sentence far-right militia founder Stuart Rhodes to 18 years in prison for crimes including sedition, conspiracy and using violence to overthrow the federal government.

His prison sentence is the largest sentence for any of the 1,000-plus individuals who are charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol.

Watkins was also convicted of conspiracy and obstructing police work during the incidents.

Harrelson was found guilty of conspiring to prevent members of Congress from ratifying the election of President Joe Biden, as well as falsifying documents and processes.

Watkins and Harrelson were acquitted of conspiracy to overthrow.

Watkins asked that her sentence not exceed that required to comply with federal sentencing law.

For his part, Harrelson did not plead guilty to his sentence and continued to maintain his innocence.

Rhodes appeared defiant in court yesterday, insisting he is a “political prisoner”. “For decades, Mr. Rhodes, it is clear that you wanted democracy to degenerate in this country. You are not a political prisoner,” answered Judge Meta.

The Oath Keepers is an American far-right anti-government militia whose leaders have been convicted of violent opposition to the United States government, including the transfer of presidential power as provided for in the US Constitution.

It was founded in 2009 by Rhodes, a man who has been accused by his ex-wife of psychological and physical abuse. Research into their membership found that two-thirds of Oath Keepers are ex-military or police, and one-tenth are active-duty military or police. Most research has put the membership of the Oath Keepers at around 5,000, while leaked data has shown that Oath Keepers lists claim membership at 38,000.

Some of the group’s members — including Watkins and Harrelson — stormed the Capitol dressed in camouflage.