Proud Boys Trio Plead Not Guilty to Conspiracy, Obstruction, Assault, and Other Jan. 6 Charges

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Three members of the Proud Boys pleaded not guilty to a slew of Jan. 6-related charges on March 22 in U.S. District Court.

Joseph R. Biggs, 38, of Ormond Beach, Fla., pleaded not guilty to seven charges during an arraignment hearing before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly in Washington D.C.

Charles J. Donohoe, 38, of Kernersville, N.C., pleaded not guilty to the same list of charges, which includes assaulting, resisting or impeding police; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; destruction of government property; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; and three other counts.

Biggs and Donohoe were already under indictment for alleged crimes at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

A second superseding indictment of six members of the Proud Boys was issued on March 7.

That indictment added former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio, 38, of Miami, who faces the same charges as Biggs and Donohoe. Tarrio will be arraigned on March 30.

The superseding indictment also added Dominic J. Pezzola, 45, of Rochester, N.Y., who pleaded not guilty March 22 to the same seven charges, and a charge of robbery of personal property of the United States.

Two other Proud Boys, Ethan M. Nordean, 31, of Auburn, Wash., and Zachary Rehl, 36, of Philadelphia, will be arraigned on seven counts each on March 23.

Prosecutors allege the men formed a new Proud Boys chapter called the Ministry of Self Defense to prepare for the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally in Washington and a subsequent storming of the Capitol.

The group encouraged other Proud Boys to attend the rally and obtained “paramilitary gear and supplies” such as tactical vests, protective gear, and radios. They planned to be “incognito” by not wearing the group’s traditional colors or apparel, prosecutors said.

The Proud Boys are accused of dismantling metal barricades on the Capitol grounds, destroying metal fencing, breaking a Capitol window, and assaulting law enforcement officers.

Tarrio was not in Washington on Jan. 6. He was ordered to leave the day before, due to his recent arrest for burning a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a DC Methodist church.

The criminal complaint describes a meeting Tarrio had in a parking garage on Jan. 5 with Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III.

The 30-minute meeting took place in an underground garage near the Phoenix Park Hotel, the complaint said.

“During this encounter, a participant referenced the Capitol,” the criminal complaint said, although it did not elaborate.

Pezzola is accused of stealing a riot shield from a Capitol Police officer and later using it to break a window.

At the top of the stairs leading from the west plaza to the Capitol, prosecutors said he shouted at police: “We ain’t stopping! We ain’t [expletive] stopping! [Expletive] you! … You think Antifa’s [expletive] bad, just you wait!”

Donohoe threw two water bottles at police, prosecutors allege. Biggs filmed a selfie-style video in which he said, “So we just stormed the [expletive] Capitol. Took the [expletive] place back.”

Later in the afternoon, a Proud Boys member asked on social media, “Are we a militia yet?” Tarrio replied, “Yep,” the criminal complaint said. Two subsequent messages said “Make no mistake” and “We did this.”

The Proud Boys’ trial was originally set to begin May 18, but with the addition of Tarrio and Pezzola to the case, attorneys said there is no way they can prepare for a trial that quickly.

Other defendants’ attorneys object to significant trial delays unless their clients are released from pretrial detention.

By Joseph M. Hanneman

Read Original 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.

Trump’s Proposal For NATO To Stop Buying Russian Oil & Start Tariffing China Is Unrealistic

Trump proposed on social media that NATO stop buying Russian oil and start tariffing China 50-100% as part of his plan for ending the Ukrainian Conflict.

The Choices We Make

Death and disagreement are inevitable. Love and hate are choices. We will all die. Before we do, what choices will we make?

Elon Musk Speaks at Unite the Kingdom Rally

Tommy Robinson held rally, with Elon Musk appearing virtually, calling attention to leftist politicians who allow foreign immigrants to invade England.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

New Details Emerge in Kirk’s Assassination as Suspect Faces Death Penalty—What to Know

New details have emerged in the assassination of Charlie Kirk by suspect Tyler Robinson following the alleged shooter’s apprehension by authorities.

UK, US Sign $42 Billion Tech Deal to Boost AI Partnership

The UK and the US struck a technology pact on Sept. 16 that would bring $42 billion in investments from U.S. tech giants into the UK’s AI infrastructure.

Parents Sue Character.AI for Allegedly Leading Kids to Sexual Abuse, Suicidal Behavior

Parents allege in three lawsuits that Character.AI’s chatbots sexually abused their children and drove them toward suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Tyler Robinson Makes First Appearance in Court, Faces Capital Murder Charge in Charlie Kirk Assassination

Tyler Robinson remained motionless throughout his first court appearance on capital murder and other charges after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.

Rubio Says US Visa Revocations Underway After Charlie Kirk Death Celebrations

SoS Marco Rubio said foreign nationals who made celebratory comments over Charlie Kirk’s assassination will have their U.S. visas revoked.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.

US Conducts Strike on Another Drug Boat From Venezuela: Trump

Three people were killed in a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 15.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central