The Department of Justice (DOJ) requested 33 years in prison for former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who comes from being found guilty of seditious conspiracy earlier this year in connection with the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In May of this year, Tarrio and four other members were convicted of participating in a seditious conspiracy against the US government for the certification of the November 2020 presidential election.
Prosecutors described Tarrio in a sentencing memorandum released Thursday night as a “naturally charismatic leader” and a “smart propagandist.”
“In that capacity, he had influence over countless subordinate members of his group and members of the general public, and he used that influence to organize and execute the conspiracy to forcibly stop the peaceful and democratic transfer of power,” prosecutors said.
Despite the fact that Tarrio was not on Capitol Hill during the assault by supporters of Donald Trump, prosecutors classified him as the leader and main promoter of a plot to keep the former president in power.
Tarrio asked the court this Friday for less jail time than recommended by the Department of Justiceand argued the use of a terrorism enhancement to decide his sentence, but did not ask for a specific sentencing range.
It was the longest sentence the Department of Justice has requested for people linked to the attack on the Capitol, and if accepted by a judge, it would be the longest sentence handed down.
Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, was convicted last year of sedition for his role in the riots, and currently has the longest sentence for the January 6 protesters, for 18 years.
Prosecutors also recommended a 33-year sentence for Joe Biggs, a Florida Proud Boy convicted of sedition earlier this year, while Biggs, a former “InfoWars” correspondent for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, he was accused of taking the Proud Boys to the Capitol and speaking to the first person to break through police barricades minutes before taking action.
Prosecutors said Dominic Pezzola, the only Proud Boy acquitted of seditious conspiracy after a months-long trial, should receive a 20-year prison sentence but was convicted of other felonies, including obstruction of official proceeding and assault, resisting and prevent certain officers.
Zachary Rehl, president of the Proud Boys of Philadelphia, prosecutors asked for a 30-year sentence. Court documents indicated that Rehl had requested a sentence of three years or less.
Proud Boys took notice when Trump urged them to ‘stand back and wait’ in his first debate against Joe Biden.
In a four-month trial, prosecutors said the Proud Boys saw themselves as “Donald Trump’s army.”
With information from The Hill
Keep reading:
– Capitol Hill cops sue Trump over Jan. 6 attack
– FBI discovers contact between Capitol raiders and person close to Trump
– Police accused of leaking arrest information to former Hispanic leader of the Proud Boys
