WASHINGTON (AP) — A security operations leader hired by the far-right group Oath Keepers, whose acquittal on conspiracy charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot marked a rare setback for prosecutors, was sentenced Friday to two years of probation.
Michael Greene, of Indianapolis, was convicted of misdemeanor trespassing after a trial in Marchbut he recused himself from the more serious charges after telling jurors on the witness stand that he was not a member and did not tell anyone to go to the Capitol.
Prosecutors had asked for a year behind bars for Greene, but U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sided with defense attorneys who argued for probation. He noted that Greene did not enter the building or take a large part in the group’s online chats, which became increasingly violent before the riots.
“Frankly, we don’t have much insight into what his political views were or what he thought about the outcome of the election,” Mehta said.
Prosecutors described Greene as a “trusted senior lieutenant” of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was convicted in May to 18 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in the January 6 attack. Prosecutors had accused Greene of conspiring with other Oath Keepers to obstruct congressional certification of President Joe Biden’s election victory.
Greene, however, said he never joined the Oath Keepers, but instead worked essentially as a contractor, providing security services.
“I took a job. I’m not an oath keeper. I took a job. I’m not a criminal,” he said.
An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Greene said he was asked to come to Washington to oversee Oath Keepers’ security services for figures such as longtime Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone and “Stop the Steal” organizer Ali Alexander at events before the siege. He was paid about $5,000, his attorney said.
Greene took the stand for the defense at Rhodes’ trial, telling jurors he never heard anyone discuss plans to storm the Capitol. Rhodes testified during that case that he selected Greene as “operational leader” for Jan. 6 after meeting with Greene in 2017 when they helped with disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey.
Prosecutors said Greene had traveled with Rhodes before and knew the likely outcome when he asked the Oath Keepers to come to the Capitol that day. “Mr. Greene did not stumble into this riot,” said prosecutor Kathryn Rakoczy.
But Greene’s attorney said the evidence never added up to the charges alleged by prosecutors, and the verdict reflected that.
“He came to do a job,” said William Shipley. “It’s a very different position than others.”
After the sentencing, Greene said he is considering whether to appeal the conviction to clear his record.
“I feel good, happy to get it over with right now,” Greene said. “Now that it’s over, I just have to try to bounce back and try to get back to work.”
Five other associates of the Oath Keepers who were tried with Greene were convicted of conspiring to obstruct the certification of the Congressional vote. In other trials, six Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy in what prosecutors alleged was a violent plot to stop the transfer of power from Trump to Biden.
Authorities alleged that the Oath Keepers prepared in the weeks leading up to Jan. 6, which included training sessions and recruiting others to come to Washington. Prosecutors have said the extremist group stored weapons in a Virginia hotel in case they were needed, donned tactical vests and helmets and moved in an organized fashion as they advanced toward the Capitol.
Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers, however, have denied that there was any plot to storm the Capitol or stop the certification. Defense attorneys say they came to Washington only to see then-President Donald Trump speak or to provide security for speakers at pre-riot events, and that those who entered the Capitol did so spontaneously.
