Poli Alert Political & Civics
Related Articles
The former leader of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, could face the longest prison sentence among any January 6th defendant as a federal judge prepares to hand down punishments for members of the far-right group convicted of seditious conspiracy charges related to the Capitol attack.
The sentencing follows an all-day hearing on Tuesday, where victim impact statements were read. Tarrio’s sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday morning, with prosecutors seeking a 33-year prison sentence. Ethan Nordean will be sentenced in the afternoon, with prosecutors seeking 27 years. Joe Biggs faces a sentencing hearing with prosecutors aiming for a 33-year sentence, and Zach Rehl, with a requested 30-year sentence, will also be sentenced on the same day. Dominic Pezzola, the only Proud Boy convicted in the case not found guilty of seditious conspiracy, will be sentenced on Friday, with prosecutors seeking 20 years.
The jury reached verdicts in the Proud Boys case in May, following a four-month trial that began in December. Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was also found guilty of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in federal prison in May.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the defendants heard victim impact statements from current and former members of the U.S. Capitol Police who faced rioters on January 6, 2021, and testified during the defendants’ trial. Their statements emphasized the fear, pain, and loss experienced during the attack. Capitol Police Officer Shae Cooney referenced the death of her “friend,” Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after engaging with rioters.
Officer Cooney said, “Every day we have to be reminded that he’s not here anymore because the people in this courtroom decided that they weren’t happy with how an election went. And they thought the best idea was to break into the Capitol, fight police officers, and try to overturn an election.”
Capitol Police Inspector Thomas Lloyd praised the resilience of the officers under his command, stating, “Despite the tremendous beating my personnel took on Jan. 6, all those who could walk showed up to work the next day.”
Former Capitol Police Officer Marc Ode, who could not attend in person, sent a letter expressing that January 6 was a “planned and organized attempt to overthrow our constitutional process” by individuals who used violence and terror to impose their will.
