COLUMBUS, Ind. — An area man accused of using bear spray on Capitol Police during the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington D.C. could go before a U.S. magistrate in Indianapolis as early as Friday.
Government lawyers have asked the judge to not offer Jon Schaffer, 52, a bond, WISH-TV, the Republic’s newsgathering partners, reported.
Schaffer has connections both in Johnson and Bartholomew counties. While the FBI identified Schaffer as a Columbus resident in its statement about his arrest, voting records indicate his residence is in Edinburgh. In Indiana, voter registration records, including date of birth and address, are public records.
According to the Johnson County Clerk’s office, Schaffer is currently registered to vote from an address at 123 1/2 East Main Cross St. in downtown Edinburgh. The address at 123 East Main Cross St. was formerly occupied by the antique store Step Back in Time.
Sarabeth Drybread, community center director in Edinburgh, said there is no business currently located in the storefront Thursday.
Schaffer, founder of the internationally touring heavy metal rock band “Iced Earth,” is accused of six federal charges, including engaging in an act of physical violence in a Capitol building.
After a statement of facts was filed in federal court by an FBI agent on Saturday, Schaffer turned himself in at 3 p.m. on Sunday, according to wire reports.
Chris Bavender, an FBI Indianapolis spokeswoman, said that Schaffer was being held at the Marion County Jail. Jail officials there have declined to release any information about Schaffer, including a current address or whether he has a bond.
The U. S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has all jurisdiction on who is charged and what charges might be brought in Schaffer’s case, according to the attorney’s office for the Southern District of Indiana.
For the complete story, see Friday’s Republic.
