Judge to feds: Give Qanon Shaman his horns and spear back

The Qanon Shaman can have his horns back, a federal judge ruled Monday. His spear, too.

Jacob Anthony Chansley successfully petitioned the government to give him back the iconic accessories he took with him when he stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021.

"He stood out to the entire world because of his 'unmistakable outfit' of 'a horned coyote-tail headdress; red, white, and blue face paint; gloves; and no shirt,'" wrote Judge Royce Lamberth. "In addition, he had armed himself with a serious weapon: 'a six-foot pole with an American flag zip-tied to the shaft and a metal spearhead fixed to the top.'"

Lamberth ruled that, because Chansley has served his prison sentence and petitioned the government for his property, he should have it returned, court records show.

The records also show the government wanted to hold onto the evidence in case Chansley tried to appeal his verdict or a civil case was launched.

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But Lamberth questioned how Chansley could appeal after having served time, or why the government had not yet pursued civil litigation if it intended to do so.

"Since the government has not established that it still needs these items as evidence and has not sought their forfeiture, the Court will GRANT Mr. Chansley's motion," Lamberth wrote.

Chansley was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 after pleading guilty to obstructing Congress.

A bid to run for political office in Arizona this year ultimately proved unsuccessful because, as he told Salon over Chipotle burrito bowls, he did not get close to the signatures required.

Chansley also bemoaned to Salon the temporary loss of his horns.