John Herbert Strand, a 41-year-old Florida man and Jan. 6 Capitol rioter, will be released from federal prison later this month after a judge granted his second motion for release Monday.
In 2022, Strand was “found guilty of the felony charge of obstruction of an official proceeding, as well as misdemeanor offenses of 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, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building,” the U.S. District of Columbia Attorney’s Office website read.
According to Strand’s X profile bio, he views himself as a political prisoner. He claims he was sentenced to prison “for Being Present on J6 as a Hired Bodyguard for a Doctor who had a permit to give a Medical Freedom Speech.”
Strand was allegedly protecting Dr. Simone Gold, founder of America’s Frontline Doctors, during Jan. 6. She has been labeled as an anti-vaccine activist.
Gold and Strand “knowingly and willfully joined a crowd of individuals who forcibly entered the U.S. Capitol and impeded, disrupted, and disturbed the orderly conduct of business,” a federal affidavit filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2021 reads in part.
Gold, who served 60-days in prison for a misdemeanor sentence of “Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds,” took to X to share her comments on Strand’s pending release.
“After the Supreme Court ruled that the DOJ misused & inappropriately charged January 6 defendants with ‘obstruction of an official proceeding”, @JohnStrandUSA will be released from prison after his Motion for Release Pending Appeal was granted,” she wrote. “A great day for Justice!”
BREAKING: After the Supreme Court ruled that the DOJ misused & inappropriately charged January 6 defendants with “obstruction of an official proceeding”, @JohnStrandUSA will be released from prison after his Motion for Release Pending Appeal was granted.
A great day for Justice! pic.twitter.com/FRaYi4aC4a
— Dr. Simone Gold (@drsimonegold) July 15, 2024
District Judge Christopher Cooper granted Strand’s second motion, which was filed on July 6, a few weeks after the Supreme Court severely restricted the obstruction of an official proceeding charge. (RELATED: Biden DOJ Tries To Salvage Jan. 6 Charges After Facing Major Blow At Supreme Court)
Strands is set to be released from prison, July 24, and be placed on probation under supervision.
“I am so thankful to everyone who supported me during this difficult time,” Strands posted on X.
IT’S OFFICIAL — I am being released from prison after my Motion for Release was approved by the Judge.
I am so thankful for everyone who supported me during this difficult time. #JusticeforJ6! pic.twitter.com/icnTpdcRS5
— 𝐉𝐎𝐇𝐍⚔️𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃 (@JohnStrandUSA) July 15, 2024
