Joseph Biggs, Proud Boys organizer, receives 17-year sentence for seditious conspiracy in Jan. 6 case

Top Lieutenant of Former Proud Boys Leader Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Capitol Attack

Joseph Biggs, a top lieutenant of former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This is the most severe crime charged in the Justice Department’s investigation into the riot. Biggs is the first of the Proud Boys co-defendants to be sentenced. He was also convicted of additional charges, including conspiring to obstruct Congress and civil disorder, but acquitted on other accusations such as assaulting officers and destruction of government property.

Prosecutors had requested a sentence of 33 years for Biggs, who is an Iraq war veteran with PTSD and previously worked for InfoWars. Tarrio’s sentencing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until September 5 due to the judge’s illness. Like Biggs, Tarrio also faces a government request for a 33-year prison sentence.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Biggs was part of Tarrio’s close leadership team and was involved in coordinating the mob. The group was accused of forming a Ministry of Self-Defense structure, with Tarrio at the top, to strategize their presence at former President Trump’s rally on January 6. Biggs, along with co-defendants Zachary Rehl and Ethan Nordean, was part of that group. Dominic Pezzola, the only defendant acquitted of seditious conspiracy, was not a member of the Ministry of Self-Defense.

On the day of the attack, Biggs, Rehl, Nordean, and Pezzola gathered with over 100 Proud Boys at the Washington Monument and marched toward the Capitol. Prosecutors stated that Biggs acted as the “tip of the spear” throughout the attack, being among the first wave across the First Street barrier, tearing down the fence at Breach 2, charging up the scaffolding at Breach 3, and being among the first rioters to enter the Capitol at Breach 4.

The government argued for a terrorism-related sentencing enhancement, claiming that the group tried to influence the government through intimidation or coercion. However, Biggs’ defense team argued against this enhancement, stating that a decade or more behind bars would be an excessive punishment.

During his sentencing hearing, Biggs spoke to the court, claiming he was not a violent person and apologizing for his violent rhetoric. He expressed remorse and stated that he wanted to be home to care for his daughter. Biggs acknowledged that he deserved punishment and understood the consequences of his actions.

The Proud Boys defendants plan to appeal their convictions in the case.

For more information on the assault on the U.S. Capitol, visit the CBS News feature here.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-31 17:22:00