Proud Boys leader sentenced to 17 years for Capitol riot

Joe Biggs, one of the leaders of the far-right group Proud Boys have been sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in the Capitol riot in January 2021.

The 38-year-old, a US army veteran and former Infowars correspondent, was convicted of seditious conspiracy, intimidation or threats to prevent officials from discharging their duties and interference with law enforcement during civil disorder, back in May.

Prosecutors sought 33 years.

Zachary Rehl, another member of the group was also sentenced to 15 years on a charge of seditious conspiracy. Real is a former US Marine and leader of the Philadelphia branch of the Proud Boys. He was seen spraying a chemical irritant at officers outside the Capitol during the riot.

Ahead of sentencing, Biggs said: "“I was seduced by the crowd, and I just moved forward. My curiosity got the better of me.”

“I’m not a terrorist. I don’t have hate in my heart.”

Rehl said: “I regret involving myself with any of it.”

Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly to apply a terrorism enhancement for the defendants - this could have added around 15 years to their prison term.

Kelly agreed that their actions amounted to an act of terrorism, though did not add the enhancement as he said it "overstates the conduct" at issue.

More than 1,100 people have been arrested on charges related to the Capitol riot. More than 630 have already pleaded guilty and at least 110 have been convicted at trial.

Image by Phillip Roulain from Pixabay