After spending nearly four years imprisoned, including two years confined in solitary conditions, Jon Mellis has finally been set free. His release, however, sheds light on a failing justice system in America that entangles millions in an endless cycle of punishment rather than rehabilitation. This issue calls for immediate action from Congress and a united front from Americans to seek reform.
In an exclusive interview, Mellis, 38, recounts his agonizing journey through a system designed for failure. His ordeal is not isolated; it serves as a warning that calls for action to prevent similar fates for others.
Solitary Confinement: “They Tried to Erase Me”
Mellis was handed a 51-month sentence for his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol events, claiming he was defending protester Roseanne Boyland. Labeled as a terrorist, Mellis endured two years in isolation at the D.C. jail, locked in a 6-by-8-foot cell, deprived of sunlight, family visits, and human interaction.
“They didn’t just lock me up,” Mellis stated. “They tried to erase me.”
The American Psychological Association warns that solitary confinement beyond 15 days can cause irreversible mental harm. A United Nations report from 2023 categorizes prolonged solitary as psychological torture, leading to depression and suicidal tendencies. Mellis endured 730 days.
He described witnessing fellow inmates screaming into pillows or withdrawing into silence, noting, “Your mind unravels.”
Mellis revealed ongoing challenges, including sensitivity to noise and insomnia, admitting, “I need counseling. We all do.”
He also alleged that guards mocked inmates, used racial slurs, and served contaminated food. While violent offenders roamed freely, January 6 detainees experienced severe lockdowns with no outdoor time or religious services.
“This was political torture,” Mellis asserted. “It was punishment for our beliefs.”
A Hidden Life Sentence
On September 30, 2024, Mellis believed his dues were settled. Yet, a 2008 nonviolent drug conviction loomed, tied with “good behavior for life” probation. Virginia prosecutors argued his January 6 arrest violated this, risking another decade behind bars.
Weeks after his release, his home was raided by police.
“It was like they were waiting to pull me back,” Mellis recounted.
Living under strict bond conditions, Mellis found himself one mistake away from reincarceration. After a grueling legal battle and a change in sentencing laws, his probation was dropped last week, thanks to a pardon from President Trump.
“I’m finally clear! They just stopped prosecuting,” Mellis celebrated as he emerged from the courthouse. “Now, I’m finally free and clear, free to go!”
Despite newfound freedom, Mellis is committed to highlighting victims of what he terms a weaponized government, tackling America’s recidivism crisis firsthand.
A System That Traps, Not Reforms
The Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that 76% of released prisoners are rearrested within five years, often due to unemployment and lack of support.
Labeled a criminal, Mellis lost job opportunities, faced eviction, and was left homeless, surviving through odd jobs.
“They release you to watch you fail,” he explained. “It’s hard because half the country thinks we’re terrorists.”
*** SUPPORT PARDONED JANUARY 6 PRISONER JON MELLIS HERE ***
This is not just Mellis’ battle; it’s a nationwide issue. Over 600,000 Americans leave prison annually, only to encounter a system with no safety net, prompting many to return to crime.
Now free, Mellis advocates for justice, ensuring no American suffers as he did. He tours the East Coast, speaking at conservative gatherings to spread what he calls “the truth of January 6.”
“We need to talk about it very, very honestly,” he insisted. “We need investigations into the deaths of Ashli Babbitt, Roseanne Boyland, Benjamin Phillips, and Kevin Greeson.”
Mellis also demands full pardons for the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, some of whom were given lengthy prison sentences for seditious conspiracy.
“These guys didn’t conspire to take over the government. They went to a rally,” Mellis stated. “That’s absurd.”
During his time in the D.C. jail’s “Patriot Pod,” he met the leaders of the Proud Boys, calling them regular guys who simply attended a rally.
Eventually, Mellis joined the Proud Boys, describing it as “one of the proudest moments of my life.”
While unclear why complete pardons weren’t issued, Mellis trusts that President Trump will resolve the matter.
“I don’t expect President Trump to telegraph all of his plans. I trust his judgment,” Mellis expressed, thankful for Trump’s efforts in releasing his friends.
“I owe President Trump greatly. He released us from hell,” Mellis continued. “When we were locked up, we sang the National Anthem. The president played it at every rally. That was enough to give me a lot of strength.”
Mellis remains resolute, pursuing legal action against the federal government, seeking not just compensation but accountability.
“The government owes us an apology,” Mellis declared. “They tortured us, called us terrorists, and ripped years from our lives. What happened to us wasn’t just wrong—it was evil.”
He concluded with a call for fairness and truth, leveraging his platform, WeAreGoodMen.com, to raise funds for his continued fight, spreading awareness and supporting other January 6 families.
But he can’t do it alone.
*** SUPPORT PARDONED JANUARY 6 PRISONER JON MELLIS HERE ***
