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Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison in Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy case
Federal prosecutors stated that the ex-Infowars correspondent, who was found guilty of seditious conspiracy, played a role as an instigator and leader during the events of the Capitol attack.
Joe Biggs, a prominent figure in the Proud Boys organization, has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for his role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The government has described him as a leader and provocateur during the incident. This sentence ranks among the lengthiest in the Capitol riot cases.
The record for the longest sentence in such cases is held by Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who received an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy, even though prosecutors initially sought a 25-year prison term.
The prosecution aimed for a 33-year prison term for Joe Biggs, an Army veteran who suffered a head injury in Iraq and later worked as a correspondent for the conspiracy-oriented website Infowars.
Legal representatives asserted that he played a significant role as a vocal leader and key advocate for the Proud Boys’ shift towards advocating political violence.
They emphasized his notable public presence and military background as factors contributing to his involvement in attempting to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power through an uprising against the government.
The sentencing for Joe Biggs was delivered by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly. Earlier in the hearing, Judge Kelly determined that Biggs’ action of dismantling a fence separating law enforcement from the rioters met the criteria for a terrorism sentencing enhancement, a stance advocated by the prosecutors.
Judge Kelly characterized the act of tearing down the fence as a purposeful and significant action that played a role in causing disruption during the Capitol’s electoral vote count.
Biggs faced convictions in May for charges including seditious conspiracy, obstructing an official proceeding, using force to hinder U.S. officers’ duties, interfering with law enforcement during civil disorder, and damaging government property.
He underwent trial alongside Enrique Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola. All five individuals were found guilty of various felonies, with seditious conspiracy being applicable to all except Pezzola. Sentencing is scheduled for the remaining Proud Boys: Rehl on Thursday afternoon, Pezzola and Nordean on Friday, and Tarrio on Tuesday.
On January 6th, a day that will be remembered for its infamy, Biggs can be heard saying in a selfie video he shot outside the Capitol, “January 6th will be a day in infamy.”
Norm Pattis, Biggs’ attorney, emphasized during the trial’s closing arguments that the former President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as the Proud Boys’ “commander-in-chief,” had deceived them with false information regarding the 2020 presidential election. Prior to receiving his sentence on Thursday, Biggs expressed remorse and acknowledged that he had made mistakes on January 6th, stating that he was sorry for his actions.
