He was not a “political fanatic,” Tarrio said in an emotional speech in court Tuesday. “It was not my goal to cause harm or change the election results,” he continued. “I didn’t think it would be possible to change the election results.” Tarrio said he no longer wanted to have anything to do with “politics, movements, activism or rallies.”
The judge noted at sentencing: “A seditious conspiracy is a serious crime… Mr. Tarrio was the ultimate leader of this conspiracy,” Kelly said. “This day broke our previously unbroken tradition of peaceful transfers of power,” the judge continued.
Biggest punishment yet
It is the highest punishment to date in connection with the Capitol invasion. However, Judge Kelly, who was appointed to the court by former President Donald Trump, sentenced Tarrio and his co-defendants to much shorter prison terms than prosecutors requested.
The Ministry of Justice demanded that the 39-year-old man spend more than three decades in prison. Tarrio was not in Washington on the day of the storming of the Capitol – January 6, 2021: he was arrested two days earlier in another case. According to the Public Ministry, he played a decisive role in the incidents.
“Tarrio has repeatedly and publicly expressed that he has no regrets for what he made possible on January 6,” prosecutors wrote in court documents. Tarrio, a Miami native, was scheduled to be sentenced in Washington federal court last week. However, his hearing was postponed because US District Judge Kelly fell ill.
Long prison sentences for key leadership figures
In recent days, several “Proud Boys” leaders have been convicted in connection with the January 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol. Former soldier Joe Biggs, who prosecutors described as one of the central figures in the “seditious conspiracy,” was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The Public Ministry demanded 33 years in prison. “Proud Boy” Zachary Rehl, who was also charged with conspiracy, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The Public Ministry demanded 30 years in prison for him.
Ethan Nordean was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday (local time) for, among other things, “seditious conspiracy”. During the trial, investigators described him as the instigator of the violent march on the US Parliament building on January 6, 2021.
Ten years in prison were imposed on Friday against another violent “Proud Boys” participant in the protests, who, among other things, broke a large window in the Capitol. According to US media, Dominic Pezzola shouted “Trump won!” upon leaving the courtroom. A few months ago, the founder of the right-wing extremist militia “Oath Keepers”, Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for storming the Capitol.
Five dead in storm at Capitol
On January 6, 2021, supporters of then-US President Trump stormed the Capitol in Washington. They wanted to prevent Congress from finally confirming Democrat Biden’s victory in the November 2020 presidential election that day. Members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers were among the attackers. Five people died in the invasion of the Capitol.
Trump is accused of inciting his supporters during a speech shortly before. The right-wing populist denies all accusations and sees any legal action against him as an attempt by his opponents to prevent him from returning to the White House.