WASHINGTON—Henry “Enrique” Tarrio Jr., the Florida-based former chairman of the Proud Boys accused of being the mastermind of a seditious conspiracy to attack the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on Sept. 5 by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly.
Mr. Tarrio, 39, of Miami, received the longest prison term among all Jan. 6 defendants, eclipsing the previous record of 18 years given to Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III in May, and Mr. Tarrio’s co-defendant, Ethan Nordean, on Sept. 1.
The prosecution of Mr. Tarrio and his Proud Boys lieutenants included the most extended Jan. 6-related criminal trial—more than four months—held in the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse in Washington.
Mr. Tarrio was the last of his trial group to be sentenced by Judge Kelly, an appointee of then-President Donald Trump. Mr. Nordean was sentenced to 18 years, Joseph Biggs to 17 years, Zachary Rehl to 15 years, and Dominic Pezzola to 10 years.
Federal prosecutors sought a 33-year prison term for Mr. Tarrio, who was described in court documents as a “naturally charismatic leader, a savvy propagandist, and the celebrity chairman of the national Proud Boys organization.” Prosecutors claimed he exhibited “pernicious, violence-oriented leadership.”
During a nearly four-hour sentencing hearing, defense attorneys said 15 years would be a sufficient prison term.
Mr. Tarrio expressed remorse for Jan. 6, for letting down his grandfather and his family, and for not respecting law enforcement.
He asked the judge for leniency so he could return to society and turn away from “my selfish endeavors.” Mr. Tarrio said the trial has humbled him and he no longer wants anything to do with rallies or politics.
“I am not a political zealot,” he said.
Calling seditious conspiracy a “serious offense,” Judge Kelly said Mr. Tarrio was the “ultimate leader” of the conspiracy who schemed to have government buildings taken over on Jan. 6. What happened that day was a “disgrace,” the judge said.
By Joseph M. Hanneman and Jackson Richman
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