Joseph Biggs, the leader of the “Proud Boys” group, for which federal prosecutors wanted 33 years in prison in the USA, was sentenced to 17 years.
Biggs’ 17-year sentence is the largest conviction since 18 years in prison for Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers group, who participated in the congressional raid.
“The raid that day (January 6) broke our tradition of peacefully handing over power, which is one of the most precious things we have as Americans,” said Tribunal President Timothy Kelly. said.
Biggs admitted to the judge that he “spoiled that day”, arguing that he was “provoked” by Trump supporters outside the Capitol and that he was not a violent or “terrorist”.
“My curiosity got the better of me and I’m going to have to live with that for the rest of my life.” Biggs said that he did not have hatred in his heart and did not want to hurt people.
While defending their request for Biggs to be sentenced to 33 years in prison, prosecutors argued that the Proud Boys “committed one of the most serious crimes the court will ever consider, pushing the US government to the brink of constitutional crisis”.
In addition, prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 33 years for “Proud Boys” member Henry Enrique Tarrio, 30 years for Zachary Rehl, 27 years for Ethan Nordean and 20 years for Dominic Pezzola.
Federal prosecutors filed a lawsuit on June 7, 2022, against former top leader of the group, Tarrio, and four members of the group on charges of “conspiring to foment a coordinated attack on the capital Washington to prevent Congressional confirmation of US President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory”.