In a significant development in the Department of Justice’s ongoing prosecutions related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident, Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, was handed a 22-year prison term.
The sentencing is currently the lengthiest given in connection to the events of that day, according to The Associated Press.
Despite not being present in D.C. during the Capitol breach, prosecutors described Tarrio as more than just a participant, as they painted him as an influential figure.
They said he was “intelligent, charming, creative, and articulate”, and contended that he leveraged these attributes to “inflame and radicalize an untold number of followers.”
A substantial part of the prosecution’s argument centered on private communications exchanged between those involved in the breach.
The seditious conspiracy charge, a law introduced after the Civil War to curb potential uprisings by the South against the U.S. government, played a crucial role.
The law has been historically rare in its application but has been invoked approximately a dozen times by the DOJ in relation to the Capitol breach, often with success.
A particularly poignant piece of evidence was a message from Tarrio stating, “Make no mistake … we did this.”
Another element highlighted by the prosecutors was a document titled “1776 Returns” sent to Tarrio via Telegram.
While this document detailed plans for a Capitol takeover, Tarrio insisted he neither opened nor viewed it.
Throughout his trial, Tarrio’s defense adamantly argued against the notion that he plotted to obstruct the 2020 election certification.
They stated that no concrete written proof of such a conspiracy was presented.
Tarrio, speaking from incarceration during his trial, commented on the broader implications for free speech, saying, “What they’re trying to do, what people are trying to do — and this is in general, I’m speaking in general — is manipulate how we talk to each other in the locker room.”
He went on to express his concerns about the justice system, stating, “It’s just not right. It’s not the justice system that you grew up in civics class learning about.”
Furthermore, the crackdown on the Proud Boys’ involvement didn’t end with Tarrio.
Joe Biggs received a 17-year sentence, Ethan Nordean got 18 years, and Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years, all on the charges of seditious conspiracy.
Two members of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes and Kelly Meggs, were also convicted under the same charge, with Rhodes facing 18 years in prison and Meggs 12 years.
As the investigations continue, over 1,100 individuals have been indicted in relation to the events at the Capitol, with many already serving prison terms.
