Title: Proud Boy Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Leading US Capitol Riot
Date: 1 September 2023
Byline: Bernd Debusmann Jr, BBC News Washington
(Updated 40 minutes ago)
[Include relevant image of the Capitol Riot]
Dominic Pezzola, a former US Marine and a member of the far-right group Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in leading the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021. Pezzola, who was captured on video breaching the Capitol building with a police shield and subsequently filmed himself smoking a celebratory cigar, was convicted of assaulting police and obstructing an official proceeding.
Another Proud Boy member, Ethan Nordean, is scheduled to face sentencing on Friday, and he faces a more serious charge of seditious conspiracy. Nordean is considered a leader within the organization.
During Friday’s sentencing, Pezzola expressed some remorse for his actions, while his wife, daughter, and mother addressed the judge, describing Pezzola as a “wonderful child” who never caused trouble. However, upon hearing the prison term, Pezzola shouted, “Trump won!” as the judge left the room.
The Proud Boys, originally a “drinking club,” positioned themselves as Donald Trump’s loyal supporters and were among the first to storm the Capitol on the day of the riot. Their aim was to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory. Pezzola and Nordean were tried together with three other members of the group, including former chairman Enrique Tarrio and US military veterans Joe Biggs and Zachary Rehl.
On Thursday, Biggs and Rehl were sentenced to 17 and 15 years in prison, respectively. Tarrio’s sentencing is scheduled for the following week, and he faces up to 33 years behind bars. Pezzola was the only one acquitted of the seditious conspiracy charge among the five defendants.
Prosecutors argued that Pezzola’s violence and testimony clearly demonstrated his intention to influence or coerce the government. They claimed that his actions on 6 January constituted crimes of terrorism. Judge Timothy Kelly, during the sentencing, acknowledged Pezzola’s significant role in the Capitol riot, emphasizing that the events were a national disgrace.
Throughout the trial, Pezzola downplayed his role and described the protesters as trespassers rather than invaders. He attributed his actions to his military training and the instinct to run towards danger rather than away from it.
Ethan Nordean, the other Proud Boy due to be sentenced on Friday, was considered a leader within the organization. Prosecutors highlighted that he played an active role in organizing the group before and during the riot, including soliciting donations for communications equipment and protective gear.
Since the Capitol riot, more than 1,100 individuals have been arrested on charges related to the event, leading to over 110 convictions and 630 guilty pleas. The longest prison sentence handed out so far was 18 years, which was given to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes in May.
The sentencing of Pezzola and the upcoming sentencing of Nordean highlight the continued pursuit of justice for those involved in the attack on the US Capitol, as the legal consequences for their actions unfold.