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Ex-Proud Boys Leader Gets 22 Years Jail Over Capitol Attack

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The former leader of Proud Boys has been jailed for 22 years “for orchestrating” the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., the longest sentence so far for the violence.

Enrique Tarrio Tarrio, 39, was not in Washington during the raid on the seat of American democracy but helped organize the group’s involvement.

More than 1,100 people were detained over the Capitol riot that prosecutors said aimed to overturn the 2020 elections and keep President Donald J. Trump in power.

Before he learned his fate on Tuesday, an emotional Tarrio apologized to police and residents of Washington D.C. for his role in the 6 January 2021 riot.

“I am extremely ashamed and disappointed that they were caused grief and suffering,” he told Washington’s federal courthouse. “I will have to live with that shame for the rest of my life.”

Tarrio, wearing an orange jail uniform, added: “I was my own worst enemy. My hubris convinced me that I was a victim and targeted unfairly.”

He stressed that “What happened on January 6 was a national embarrassment,” adding that he now knew Trump lost to Joe Biden and blamed himself for actions that led to losing his freedom.

EMOTIONAL TARRIO

Becoming emotional, Tarrio added: “I do not think what happened that day was acceptable.”

The judge, Timothy Kelly, wasn’t impressed and emphasized the damage done. “That day broke our previously unbroken tradition of peacefully transferring power,” he noted. “That previously unbroken tradition is broken now, and it’s going to take time and effort to fix it.”

Before handing down the sentence, the judge said he did not see any indication that Tarrio was remorseful for what he was convicted for, saying there was a strong need to send a signal to others.

“It can’t happen again,” Kelly said. The longest sentence so far for a ringleader of the raid on the seat of American democracy. Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy, a US Civil War-era charge, and other counts in May.

It comes just days after Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack

Ethan Nordean told the court he now views the January 6 violence targeting the U.S. Congress building as a “complete and utter tragedy.”

“To anyone who I directly or even indirectly wronged, I’m sorry,” he told the court about the attack to overturn the officially declared presidential election results.