This marks the longest sentence among the more than 1,100 Capitol riot cases.
Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in organizing the far-right extremist group’s attack on the U.S. Capitol
Enrique Tarrio’s conviction comes as the Justice Department is preparing to put former President Donald Trump on trial at the same Washington courthouse for his alleged involvement in attempting to retain power after losing the 2020 election.
The case of Enrique Tarrio, along with numerous others, serves as a stark reminder of the violent chaos incited by Trump’s false claims about the election, which motivated right-wing extremists to storm the Capitol and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.
During his plea for leniency, Enrique Tarrio expressed remorse for his actions on January 6th, describing it as a “national embarrassment” and apologizing to the police officers and lawmakers affected. He pledged to exit politics, emphasizing that he was not a political zealot.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, appointed by Trump, noted Enrique Tarrio’s “revolutionary zeal” and the gravity of his conspiracy, emphasizing the need for a strong punishment to deter future political violence.
Prosecutors had sought a 33-year sentence, arguing that Enrique Tarrio was the ringleader in a plot to overturn the election results through violence
They emphasized the real possibility of a constitutional crisis if their plan had succeeded. Despite not being physically present in Washington on January 6th, Enrique Tarrio was seen as the orchestrator of the Proud Boys’ actions, as he inspired and directed them from a distance.
The judge agreed that the Proud Boys’ crimes could be seen as terrorism, which increased the recommended sentence under federal guidelines. However, Enrique Tarrio received a slightly shorter sentence than what prosecutors had requested.
Enrique Tarrio’s lawyers maintained that there was no plan to attack the Capitol and that he was unfairly used as a scapegoat for Trump’s rhetoric. Enrique Tarrio is the last Proud Boys leader convicted of seditious conspiracy to be sentenced, with three others already serving prison terms. The Justice Department is also appealing the sentences of other extremist group members.
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