Proud Boys Convicted of Seditious Conspiracy in Jan. 6 Case

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

WASHINGTONโ€”Four members of the Proud Boys were convicted on May 4 of seditious conspiracy for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Jurors found Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joe Biggs, and Zachary Rehl guilty of seditious conspiracy, which carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Those four defendants were also convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding.

They, along with co-defendant Dominic Pezzola, were convicted of conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging duties, obstruction of law enforcement, and destruction of government property, putting additional decades in prison in play.

Pezzola was also found guilty of robbery of U.S. property, a charge the four others werenโ€™t facing.

Tarrio was convicted despite not being in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Rehlโ€™s attorney, Carmen Hernandez, said her client โ€œcontinues to maintain his innocence.โ€ Lawyers for Biggs and Pezzola declined to comment. An attorney for Tarrio declined to comment.

Jurors in the federal trial in Washington returned a partial verdict and were sent back to deliberate on the remaining charges, including Pezzolaโ€™s seditious conspiracy charge.

The Proud Boys has described itself as โ€œa pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern worldโ€ and became known for helping provide security for pro-Donald Trump events after brawling with members of the Antifa network in various locales. Tarrio was the head of the group. Rehl was president of a chapter. Nordean, Biggs, and Pezzola were members.

Prosecutors had alleged that the Proud Boys planned and carried out plans to stop the transfer of power to Joe Biden by disrupting Congress, which was certifying electoral votes from the 2020 election.

Prosecutors told jurors the group viewed itself as โ€œTrumpโ€™s armyโ€ and was prepared for โ€œall-out warโ€ to stop Biden from becoming president.

The Proud Boys were โ€œlined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf,โ€ prosecutor Conor Mulroe said in his closing argument.

Defense lawyers denied there was any plot to attack the Capitol or stop Congressโ€™ certification of Bidenโ€™s win. A lawyer for Tarrio sought to push the blame onto Trump, arguing that the former president incited the breach when he urged the crowd near the White House to โ€œfight like hell.โ€ Trump also said in the speech that people should be โ€œpeacefulโ€ and โ€œpatriotic.โ€

The case went to the jury after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, the judge overseeing the trial, rejected multiple motions for dismissal.

Four members of the Oath Keepers, another group, were convicted of seditious conspiracy in January in connection to their actions on Jan. 6, 2021.

Seditious conspiracy is defined in federal law as two or more persons conspiring to โ€œoverthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof.โ€

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Byย Joseph Lordย andย Zachary Stieber

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Canada Forces Man to Remove Cameras From Private Property Amid Anti-Racism Push

Government expands its surveillance powers, while restricting citizens from monitoring their own property, citing concerns over โ€œracism.โ€

Are the E. Jean Carroll Lawsuits a RICO Case?

Trump lost his appeal in the E. Jean Carroll cases, leaving him liable for $83.3M. He plans to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court.

All Apologies For the Culture War Slop

"Forgive me for ignoring the elite-driven political/economic excesses, focusing instead on divisive culture war slop."

Rising sea levels are less of a threat than we were told

New study challenges climate alarmism: sea levels aren't rising faster than the past century, despite dire warnings of floods and mass migrations.

President Trump is Being Wrongfully Obstructed on Tariffs

Podcaster Zach De Gregorio, in โ€œWolves And Finance,โ€ delivers a sharp editorial unpacking the truth behind Trumpโ€™s international tariff policies.

Authors of โ€˜Astonishingโ€™ Study Showing Unvaccinated Kids Are Healthier Refused to Go Public With Results

Attorney Aaron Siri told the Senate a major study found vaccinated children were significantly more likely to develop chronic diseases.

US Government Imposes Sanctions on Cyber Scam Centers in Southeast Asia

U.S. govt has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and entities for their alleged roles in an extensive network of scam centers in Burma and Cambodia.

DOJ Announces Federal Charges Against Suspect in Fatal Stabbing of Ukrainian Woman

DOJ charged man accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee on a light-rail in Charlotte, amid a growing national outcry over her murder.

Texas A&M Ousts 2 Officials After Student and Professor Clash Over Gender Identity Lesson

Texas A&M officials were removed and DOJ probe launched after video showed prof. dismissing student over gender lesson in children's literature class.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trumpโ€™s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.

Trump Sends Warning to Venezuela After US Military Strikes Boat Allegedly Carrying Drugs

President Trump sent a warning to Venezuela after the U.S. military struck what the administration says was a boat carrying drugs in the Caribbean.
spot_img

Related Articles