Proud Boys’ Enrique Tarrio gets record 22 years in prison for Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio has been sentenced to a record 22 years in prison for his role in orchestrating a failed plot to maintain Donald Trump’s hold on power following his loss in the 2020 election. This sentence marks the most severe punishment thus far in connection with the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack.

Tarrio, aged 39, appealed for leniency before the judge imposed the prison term, which exceeded the 18-year sentences handed to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean for their involvement in seditious conspiracy related to the January 6th riot.

Tarrio, who led the far-right Proud Boys group as it gained influence within mainstream Republican circles, displayed a mixture of resignation and defiance as the sentence was passed. His sentencing coincides with the impending trial of former President Trump, who faces charges related to his alleged attempts to unlawfully cling to power after losing the election.

Addressing the court before the sentencing, Tarrio acknowledged January 6th as a “national embarrassment” and extended an apology to the law enforcement officers defending the Capitol and the lawmakers who fled in fear. His voice wavered as he expressed remorse for letting down his family and renounced further involvement in politics.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, characterized Tarrio’s actions as driven by “revolutionary zeal” that culminated in “200 men, amped up for battle, encircling the Capitol.” Emphasizing Tarrio’s lack of public remorse prior to sentencing, Judge Kelly underscored the necessity of a stringent punishment to discourage future instances of political violence.

Tarrio, along with three associates, was convicted in May of seditious conspiracy and other crimes following an extensive trial that highlighted the violence fueled by Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud, which inflamed right-wing extremist groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers.

Prosecutors had sought a 33-year prison term for Tarrio, asserting that he was the mastermind behind a plot to employ violence in undermining American democracy and overturning Joe Biden’s election victory. They noted that the plan did not involve firearms or explosives but argued that it came dangerously close to triggering a constitutional crisis.

While Tarrio was not physically present in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, prosecutors contended that he remotely organized and led the Proud Boys’ assault, inspiring followers with his charisma and propaganda.

In contrast, Tarrio’s defense asserted that the Proud Boys had no intentions of attacking the Capitol or obstructing the certification of Biden’s victory. They argued that Tarrio was unfairly made a scapegoat for Trump’s rhetoric and called for a less severe sentence.

Tarrio’s family members made emotional pleas for leniency, with his younger sister, fiancé, and mother tearfully addressing the judge. Nevertheless, the judge imposed a 22-year prison term.

Tarrio’s lawyers intend to appeal the decision, maintaining that their client should not be treated as harshly as Stewart Rhodes, who was present at the Capitol on January 6th. They described Tarrio as a “keyboard ninja” prone to “talk trash” but without the intent to overthrow the government, portraying him as a “misguided patriot.”

Tarrio’s legal troubles began with his arrest two days before the Capitol riot on charges related to defacing a Black Lives Matter banner during a previous rally in Washington, D.C.

While the judge acknowledged the potential classification of the Proud Boys’ actions as “terrorism,” he ultimately handed down shorter prison terms than those sought by prosecutors. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on hundreds of messages exchanged among Proud Boys in the days leading up to January 6th, which demonstrated their self-perception as revolutionaries celebrating the Capitol attack.

Enrique Tarrio’s sentencing brings closure to the prosecution of Proud Boys leaders for seditious conspiracy, with three other leaders having previously received prison sentences ranging from 15 to 18 years. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is appealing the 18-year prison sentence of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, seeking heavier penalties for members of his antigovernment militia group.

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• Enrique Tarrio gets record 22 years in prison for Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy
• U.S. Capitol Attack
• Proud Boys
• Oath Keepers
• Donald Trump
• Justice Department
• Joe Biden
• Seditious Conspiracy
• U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly
• Black Lives Matter
• Stewart Rhodes