Former Proud Boys Leader Given 15-Year Prison Sentence in January 6 Capitol Attack Case

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In a significant legal development, an ex-leader of the extremist group known as the Proud Boys has been handed a 15-year prison sentence following his involvement in orchestrating an assault on the U.S. Capitol. This event took place on January 6, 2021, with the intent of obstructing the peaceful transition of power from former President Donald Trump to President Joe Biden, subsequent to the 2020 presidential election.

Zachary Rehl, captured on video discharging a chemical irritant towards law enforcement personnel outside the Capitol on the aforementioned date, stood trial where he consistently denied his participation in the assault. The prosecution revealed that he had provided false testimonies regarding the assault during the trial.

Federal prosecutors initially advocated for a more severe 30-year imprisonment term for Rehl. It was established that he played a leadership role in guiding numerous members and affiliates of the Proud Boys as they marched towards the Capitol on that day. As part of the mob that forcibly breached police lines and disrupted the joint Congressional session for certifying President Biden’s electoral victory, Rehl’s actions contributed to the chaos.

In addition to Rehl’s sentencing, another prominent figure in the Proud Boys, Joseph Biggs, was also handed a 17-year prison sentence by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly. Furthermore, the judge is anticipated to pronounce sentences for three other convicted Proud Boys in the coming days. These individuals were found guilty by a jury in May, following an extensive four-month trial in Washington that laid bare the degree to which far-right extremists embraced falsehoods propagated by then-President Trump, a member of the Republican Party.

Enrique Tarrio, the national chairman and key leader of the Proud Boys residing in Miami, is scheduled to receive his sentence next week. Despite not being present in Washington on January 6, Tarrio was arrested two days before the Capitol riot on charges of defacing a Black Lives Matter banner during a prior rally in the nation’s capital. He abided by a judge’s order to leave the city following his arrest, designating Joseph Biggs and Ethan Nordean as on-ground leaders in his absence.

Convictions were secured against Rehl, Biggs, Tarrio, and Nordean on charges encompassing seditious conspiracy—an infrequently invoked offense from the Civil War era. Dominic Pezzola, a fifth member of the Proud Boys, was acquitted of seditious conspiracy but found guilty of other serious charges.

Prosecutors have advocated varying prison sentences: 33 years for Tarrio and Biggs, 27 years for Nordean, and 20 years for Pezzola. Sentencing for Nordean and Pezzola is scheduled for the upcoming days.

During his sentencing hearing, Biggs expressed acknowledgment of his wrongdoing on January 6, attributing his actions to being influenced by the crowd of Trump supporters outside the Capitol. He emphasized that he does not identify as a violent person or a “terrorist,” attributing his actions to curiosity and the crowd’s allure.

Defense attorneys contended that the U.S. Justice Department was unjustly holding their clients accountable for the violent deeds committed by others within the group of Trump supporters at the Capitol.

To date, more than 1,100 individuals have faced charges relating to federal crimes linked to the Capitol riot. Over 600 individuals among them have been both convicted and sentenced.

Rehl, leading a group of three other men, entered the Capitol and accessed a senator’s office where he proceeded to smoke and pose for photographs while displaying the Proud Boys’ hand gesture.

In a message to his mother following the events of that day, Rehl exhibited pride in his role in the attack, asserting that the actions of the Capitol raid had catalyzed a series of events across the nation.

The most severe penalty handed out for the January 6 events so far is the 18-year prison sentence for Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, an anti-government group. Six other members of the Oath Keepers were also convicted of seditious conspiracy in a separate trial last year.

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More about Capitol Attack Sentencing

• Former Proud Boys leader sentenced to 15 years in prison
• U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021
• Seditious conspiracy charges
• Joseph Biggs sentencing and explanation
• Charges and convictions related to Capitol riot
• Stewart Rhodes sentencing and Oath Keepers