Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, received the longest sentence among the roughly 100 imposed so far for those involved in the events of Jan. 6 , 2021, at the Capitol. A federal judge imposed the hefty sentence, even though Tarrio was not physically in Washington that day due to another court order, for seditious conspiracy and obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
Although the former leader of the Proud Boys was not in the vicinity of the Capitol on the day of the attack, prosecutors point out that Tarrio recruited people to join the riots, for which they demanded 33 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly refused, claiming that "the terrorism adjustment overstates his role in the crime."
The charge of seditious conspiracy that was created to persecute rebels against the Union during the Civil War, had not been applied for decades.
"I am extremely ashamed and disappointed that they were caused grief and suffering. I will have to live with that shame for the rest of my life. ... My hubris convinced me that I was a victim and targeted unfairly," Tarrio told federal court in Washington, according to the BBC.
Ex-Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio is jailed for 22 years, the longest sentence yet for plot to storm US Capitol https://t.co/k3zOdBh2LB
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) September 5, 2023
The sentencing of other leaders
Last week, Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, leaders of the Proud Boys like Tarrio, received major sentences for the storming of the Capitol. Biggs received a sentence of 17 years and Rehl, 15. Prosecutors had also recommended longer sentences of 33 and 30 years, respectively.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison, the second-longest sentence after Tarrio.
