Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for his involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. This is one of the longest sentences handed down in Capitol riot cases, with the record being an 18-year sentence given to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was also convicted of seditious conspiracy. The government had sought a 33-year sentence for Biggs, arguing that he played a pivotal role in inciting and leading the attack.
Biggs, an Army veteran who sustained a head injury in Iraq and later worked as a correspondent for the conspiracy website Infowars, was described by prosecutors as a “vocal leader and influential proponent” of the Proud Boys’ shift towards political violence. They emphasized his “outsized public profile” and military experience, stating that he used these factors to lead a revolt against the government and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who presided over the case, ruled that Biggs tearing down a fence during the attack qualified him for a terrorism sentencing enhancement sought by the prosecutors. Judge Kelly stated that destroying the fence was a deliberate and meaningful step that contributed to the disruption of the electoral vote count taking place in the Capitol.
In addition to seditious conspiracy, Biggs was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to prevent officers of the U.S. from discharging their duties, interference with law enforcement during civil disorder, and destruction of government property. He stood trial alongside four other Proud Boys members, all of whom were convicted of felonies and all but one convicted of seditious conspiracy. The remaining Proud Boys members will also be sentenced in the coming days.
During his trial, Biggs’ attorney, Norm Pattis, argued that former President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as the “commander-in-chief” of the Proud Boys, had deceived them with lies about the 2020 presidential election. Pattis acknowledged that Biggs had committed crimes on January 6 but claimed that they had been overstated. He argued that his client’s political speech should not be used as evidence of criminal intent.
In a video recorded outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Biggs referred to that day as a “day in infamy.” However, before his sentencing, he expressed remorse and apologized for his actions, stating that he had used inflammatory rhetoric as a coping mechanism in response to a traumatic event involving his daughter. Biggs grew emotional as he spoke about his daughter and promised that January 6 would be his last event with the Proud Boys.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough emphasized the gravity of the Proud Boys’ actions on January 6, stating that they were among the most serious crimes the court would consider. McCullough argued that the attack had undermined trust in the electoral process and had a chilling effect on civic participation.
Despite applying the terrorism enhancement to Biggs’ sentence, Judge Kelly acknowledged that it overstated Biggs’ conduct. He made it clear that his sentence was not meant to label Biggs as a terrorist but emphasized the harm caused by the events of January 6, stating that they broke America’s tradition of peacefully transferring power.
The sentencing of Joe Biggs serves as a significant milestone in holding those responsible for the January 6 attack accountable, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing the underlying issues that led to this unprecedented assault on democracy.
Original Story at www.nbcnews.com – 2023-08-31 16:57:49
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