Ex-Proud Boys organizer gets 17 years in prison, second longest sentence in Jan. 6 Capitol riot case

Former Proud Boys organizer Joseph Biggs has been handed a prison sentence of 17 years for his role in orchestrating an assault on the U.S. Capitol with the intent to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden following the 2020 presidential election. This marks the second-longest sentence among the various Capitol riot cases, surpassed only by the 18-year prison term received by Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers.

Biggs, who had been a key figure in the far-right Proud Boys extremist group, led a group of its members and associates in a march to the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Their actions contributed to breaching police lines, causing lawmakers to evacuate and interrupting the joint Congressional session responsible for certifying Joe Biden’s electoral victory.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly stressed the gravity of the attack, stating that it undermined a crucial American tradition of peacefully transferring power through the Electoral College vote. The judge expressed his concerns that the events of January 6 disrupted this process, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s democratic framework.

While Biggs admitted to making a mistake that day, he attributed his actions to being influenced by the fervor of the crowd of Trump supporters gathered outside the Capitol. He denied harboring violent intentions or being a “terrorist.” Prosecutors, however, contended that Biggs and the Proud Boys were responsible for committing some of the most serious crimes the court has considered, which pushed the government to the brink of a constitutional crisis.

Judge Kelly factored in a “terrorism” enhancement to the recommended prison sentence for Biggs, which substantially increased the penalty. This enhancement, along with the judge’s determination to prevent such an event from recurring, led to the 17-year sentence.

In addition to Biggs, four other Proud Boys were convicted and await sentencing. This group includes Enrique Tarrio, the former national chairman and leader of the Proud Boys, who is scheduled for sentencing later. The trial brought to light the extremist elements’ alignment with baseless claims made by Donald Trump regarding the alleged theft of the 2020 election.

The court’s handling of this case carries a message of deterrence, emphasizing the significance of preventing such an attack from happening again. The severity of the sentence intends to underscore the importance of maintaining the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power. As more than 1,100 individuals face charges related to the Capitol riot, these cases collectively shape the nation’s response to the attack and its implications for the future.

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More about Capitol riot sentencing

• Former Proud Boys organizer sentenced to 17 years for Capitol riot
• Proud Boys
• Capitol attack: The violent events that led to Trump’s impeachment
• Electoral College
• U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly
• Terrorism Enhancement
• Democracy
• Enrique Tarrio
• Capitol Riot Convictions