Enrique Tarrio Former Proud Boys Leader Sentenced to 22 Years in Jan 6 Capital Attack

Enrique Tarrio sentenced to 22 yearsPhoto byAXIOS

Enrique Tarrio (39), was sentenced on Tuesday to 22 years in prison in connection with the Jan. 6 Capital attack in 2022 after former President Donald Trump lost the election. This record-breaking sentence sits next to the 18-year sentence that Steward Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers, and Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean received after being convicted by a jury of seditious conspiracy and other charges.

“We need to make sure the consequences are abundantly clear to anyone who might be unhappy with the results of 2024, 2028, 2032 or any future election for as long as this case is remembered,” prosecutor Conor Mulroe said. “This was a calculated act of terrorism.”

The government’s case was centered around hundreds of messages sent between Proud Boys days prior to Jan. 6 that witnessed the prosecutor's case and gave insight into how the extremists saw themselves as revolutionaries and celebrated the Capitol attack within their communications.

Tarrio asked the courts for leniency saying it was a “national embarrassment,” and apologizing to those defending the Capital.

“I am not a political zealot. Inflicting harm or changing the results of the election was not my goal,” Tarrio said. “Please show me mercy,” he said, adding, “I ask you that you not take my 40s from me.”

Prosecutors described Tarrio as a Ringleader who sought to use violence to overturn the election and stain the cornerstone of American democracy and they requested 33 years in prison for his sentence.

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