Ex-Proud Boys leader sentenced to 22 years in Jan 6 attack

Former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison Tuesday for his role in the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol aimed at stopping the transfer of power after Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.

Tarrio, 39, from Miami, received the longest prison sentence of 1,100 riot cases connected to the attack in 2021, after he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy charges in May. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 33 years.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, said at the sentencing: "The jury didn't convict anyone for engaging in politics, they convicted Mr. Tarrio and others of engaging in seditious conspiracy.

"I don't have any indication that he is remorseful for the actual things he is convicted of, which is seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to obstruct the counting of electoral votes."

Before being sentenced, Tarrio rose and pleaded for mercy. He apologized for any "pain and suffering" caused to the police who defended the Capitol and lawmakers who had to flee on the day that sparked chaos. He said that Jan 6 was a "national embarrassment".

Tario said that the riots had "nothing to do with politics, groups, activism or rallies", adding: "I have always tried to hold myself to a higher standard and I failed. I held myself morally above others, and the trial has shown me how wrong I was."

Tarrio's lawyer, Sabino Jauregui fought additional terrorism sentencing penalties, saying that "it was not his [Tarrio's] intention to bring down the United States government, or overthrow the United States government".

"My client is no terrorist," Jauregui said. "My client is a misguided patriot. He thought he was saving this country, saving this republic."

But Prosecutor Conor Mulroe described Tarrio as having a "toxic ability to control others" and branded him the "leader of this conspiracy" that targeted our government".

Tarrio was widely seen as the ringleader who orchestrated the violent attack aimed at stopping Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's electoral victory over Trump.

On the day of the attack, Tarrio wasn't in Washington. He had been arrested two days earlier on charges that he defaced a Black Lives Matter banner during another rally in Washington.

But prosecutors argued that he had instructed rioters on what to do.

Police later stated that he was also arrested, in part, over concerns that he may disrupt certification of the 2020 Electoral College. A judge ordered him to leave the city after his arrest.

"We need to make sure the consequences are abundantly clear to anyone who might be unhappy with the results of the 2024, 2028, 2032 or any future election for as long as this case is remembered," Mulroe added.

Tarrio was the last of five Proud Boys to be sentenced. Last week, three other leaders of the group were sentenced on seditious conspiracy charges in Washington by Kelly to prison terms of between 15 years to for 18 years.

He sentenced Ethan Nordean, a Seattle-area Proud Boys chapter president who was active on Jan 6 to 18 years in prison. Joseph Biggs, one of the organization's top lieutenants, got a 17-year prison sentence. Zachary Rehl, a local Proud Boys chapter leader, got 15 years in prison.

Dominic Pezzola, a member of the group who was acquitted of the seditious conspiracy charge was sentenced to 10 years.