The famous “QAnon Shaman,” Jacob Chansley, was granted early release from prison Thursday, just weeks after video surfaced of Capitol Police escorting him through the Capitol complex at one point on January 6, 2021.

Chansley pleaded guilty to the charge of obstructing an official proceeding in November 2021 and was sentenced to serve 41 months in a federal prison.

The decision to release him was made by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. No reason was given for his early release — he was due to get out in July — but officials noted in a statement that inmates are routinely allowed to reduce their sentences through good behavior behind bars. 

In a statement to the Sun, Chansley’s lawyer, Albert Watkins, applauded the decision. “After serving eleven months in solitary prior to his sentence being imposed, and only 16 months of his sentence thereafter, it is appropriate that this gentle and intelligent young man be permitted to move forward with the next stage of what undoubtedly will be a law abiding and enriching life,” Mr. Watkins said in an email. 

Before his sentencing in 2021, Chansley wrote the presiding judge to apologize for his role in the events of January 6. “I am guilty of being an idiot and walking into that building, and again apologize to America and everyone for my role in participating,” he wrote.

Before the Capitol rioters had even left the building, Chansley had already gone viral on social media for his appearance — tattooed, shirtless, with his face painted red, white, and blue while wearing a fur helmet with horns. He was one of a handful of protesters who walked through the Senate chamber. 

In early March, a Fox News host, Tucker Carlson, aired unreleased video from inside the Capitol building on January 6 that had been given to him by Speaker McCarthy. The video showed Chansley being escorted through the building by law enforcement during part of his time there. Police even held a door open for him as he walked toward the Senate. 

Prosecutors, though, said Mr. Carlson released the most generous “snippets” of Chansley video. In a 10-page court filing, prosecutors said that “the televised footage lacks the context of what occurred before and after the footage. Chansley entered the building as part of a violent crowd” and was part of the initial breach. He confronted law enforcement for roughly 30 minutes just outside the Senate chamber.

Chansley will now be transferred to a halfway house in Arizona, where is expected to reside until May.