Enrique Tarrio Photo: AFP
The former leader of the Proud Boys was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6 attack — the longest so far in connection with the attack on the US Capitol.
Although Enrique Tarrio was not present on the day of the attack because the court ordered him to leave Washington, DC, the judge decided that he played a decisive role in what happened.
«What happened that day damaged an important American custom that helps uphold the rule of law and the Constitution,» Federal Judge Timothy Kelly told Tarrio.
“This previously unbreakable tradition is now broken. And it will take time and effort to fix it.”
He said, “This cannot happen again. It cannot happen again.”
Tarrio and his lawyers asked for leniency, saying the 39-year-old was ashamed of what had happened and said he had learned from his mistakes. He called January 6 «a national disgrace.»
«When I get home, I don't want to have anything to do with politics, groups, activism or rallies,» he said.
“I am not a political fanatic. Causing harm or changing the election results was not my goal. Please show me mercy. I ask you not to take my 40 years away from me.»
Enrique Tarrio received the longest sentence, so before the attack on the Capitol The US in 2021 is far away. Photo: AFP
His mother also addressed the judge, saying: «I respectfully ask your honor to go beyond politics and the media.»
However, prosecutors who asked for a 33-year sentence for Tarrio said that Tarrio had committed a crime. did not show any remorse for several months after the incident, and the judge seemed to agree with them.
However, although he said that the crimes of the Proud Boys could be punished as «terrorism», he did not imposed the longest sentence. punishment available to him.
While Tarrio was not present on Jan. 6, prosecutors said he orchestrated everything from afar, revealing to the court hundreds of messages exchanged between the Proud Boys in the days leading up to the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump
In one social post networks Tarrio wrote: «Do what must be done.»
«Make no mistake,» he wrote in another message. «We did it.»
Tarrio's sentence is the longest of the more than 1,100 Capitol riots so far.
The sentence exceeded the 18-year sentences received by Oath Keepers founder Stuart Rhodes and former Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordin after they were found guilty of conspiracy and other charges by a jury.
The case was the fifth of five. The former Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group, are yet to be dealt with.
In addition to the 18 years given to Nordin, Kelly sentenced Joseph Biggs to 17 years in prison for Zachary Rel, leader of the local chapter of the Proud Boys. up to 15 years, and Dominic Pezzola, a member of the lowest rank, up to 10 years.
Tarrio of Miami was found guilty in federal court of sedition and obstruction of a formal hearing last May.
«Enrique Tarrio was the leader of this conspiracy,» Attorney Conor Mulro told the court.
One of Tarrio's lawyers, Sabino Jauregui, said: “This is not a war of some foreigner against the government. My client thought he was saving this country, saving this republic.”
The case against Tarrio comes as the U.S. Department of Justice is advancing the prosecution of Mr. Trump in the same courthouse on charges he worked illegally to stay in power, even though he knew he lost the election to Joe Biden and that the election was not rigged, as he claimed.
He pleaded not guilty to this charge and three other charges.
Trump remains the clear leader in the fight to select a presidential candidate who will take on Biden next year.
He has vowed that he will not stop his campaign, even if he is convicted or even in jailed
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