"Delays in Sentencing for Former Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio in Jan. 6 Case Due to Judge's Illness"

The sentencing for former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, convicted of orchestrating the group's attack on the U.S. Capitol, has been delayed. Prosecutors are seeking 33 years behind bars.

The sentencing for Enrique Tarrio, the former national leader of the Proud Boys, has been delayed until next week due to the illness of the judge overseeing the case. Tarrio was convicted of orchestrating the far-right extremist group's attack on the U.S. Capitol following Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 election. Prosecutors are seeking a 33-year prison sentence for Tarrio, which would be the longest sentence handed down so far in the hundreds of Capitol riot cases.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who has the discretion to deviate from the prosecutors' recommendation, will sentence Tarrio in Washington's federal courthouse, located near the Capitol. The sentencing for former Proud Boys chapter leader Ethan Nordean was also delayed and will now take place on Friday. It remains unclear whether the hearings for the three other Proud Boys members convicted alongside Tarrio and Nordean will be postponed as well.

Tarrio had already been arrested and ordered to leave Washington, D.C. by the time the Proud Boys joined thousands of Trump supporters in storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021. However, prosecutors argue that Tarrio organized and led the group's assault from a distance, using his charisma and propaganda to inspire followers. Tarrio's sentencing, now scheduled for September 5, marks a significant prosecution in the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Prosecutors have described Tarrio as unrepentant for his role in the attack, stating in a court filing that he has "repeatedly and publicly indicated that he has no regrets about what he helped make happen on Jan. 6." The case against Tarrio and hundreds of others serves as a stark reminder of the violent chaos fueled by Trump's false claims about the election and the extent to which these claims inspired right-wing extremists to storm the Capitol.

Tarrio, 39, could face a 33-year prison sentence, nearly twice as long as the harshest punishment handed down so far in the Justice Department's Jan. 6 prosecutions. The recommended sentences for the other convicted Proud Boys members include 33 years for Joseph Biggs, 30 years for Zachary Rehl, 27 years for Ethan Nordean, and 20 years for Dominic Pezzola.

Tarrio's lawyers have denied that the Proud Boys had any plan to attack the Capitol, arguing that Tarrio was being used as a scapegoat for Trump. They have also highlighted Tarrio's history of cooperating with law enforcement and his positive contributions to the community. However, prosecutors have presented evidence of Tarrio's involvement in planning and leading the assault, including private messages exchanged with other group leaders.

The attack on the Capitol on January 6 resulted in the disruption of the joint session of Congress to certify Joe Biden's election victory, as well as the evacuation of lawmakers and the overwhelming of law enforcement. Tarrio played a significant role in organizing the Proud Boys' participation in the attack, selecting top lieutenants and creating an encrypted group chat for communication. He also posted messages on social media expressing pride in the events unfolding at the Capitol.

Over 1,100 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol attack, with more than 600 already sentenced, over half of whom received prison terms. The case against Tarrio and other Proud Boys leaders serves as a reminder of the violent consequences of the false claims made by Trump and their impact on right-wing extremists. Trump himself has been charged with conspiring to subvert American democracy and is set to stand trial in March 2024.

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