gave her any trouble growing up. She pleaded with the judge to show leniency and consider the impact of the sentence on Pezzola’s family.
The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola marks the third Proud Boys member to be sentenced this week for their involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. Earlier this week, another Proud Boys member, Zachary Rehl, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The sentencing of these Proud Boys members comes as the Justice Department continues its efforts to hold those responsible for the Capitol attack accountable. So far, more than 600 individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the riot.
The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola also highlights the role of extremist groups in the attack. The Proud Boys, a far-right group known for their involvement in political violence, have been a focus of the investigation into the Capitol riot. The group has been accused of organizing and leading the attack on the Capitol, with members seen in videos breaching barricades and engaging in violent confrontations with law enforcement.
The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola sends a strong message that those who participated in the attack on the Capitol will be held accountable for their actions. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups and the need for continued vigilance in addressing domestic terrorism.
As the investigations and prosecutions related to the January 6 Capitol riot continue, it remains to be seen how many more individuals will be held accountable for their involvement. The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola serves as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the events of that day, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.3rd Proud Boys Member Sentenced This Week
Washington — Two members of the far-right group Proud Boys, Dominic Pezzola and Ethan Nordean, were sentenced on Friday for their roles in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Nordean, a leader of the group, received a sentence of 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, tying the Oath Keepers’ Stewart Rhodes for the longest sentence so far in the Jan. 6 prosecutions.
During Nordean’s sentencing, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly expressed his disappointment, saying, “I think it’s a tragedy how you got from A to B. Maybe your upbringing was better… no criminal record.” The Justice Department stated that Nordean and Pezzola “participated in every consequential breach at the Capitol,” leading a group of Proud Boys onto the Capitol grounds, resulting in the dismantling of barricades, breaching of the Capitol building, assaults on police, and destruction of property.
Pezzola, who gained recognition after video footage showed him smashing a Capitol window with a riot shield, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Judge Kelly remarked during Pezzola’s sentencing, “What happened that day didn’t honor our founders.” Pezzola was convicted of multiple felony counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding and destruction of government property. Unlike his co-defendants, Pezzola was acquitted of the most severe charge of seditious conspiracy.
Prosecutors had requested a 20-year sentence for Pezzola, but Judge Kelly denied the request. Pezzola was described as “an enthusiastic foot soldier” and one of the “most violent members on January 6, 2021.” He was seen attacking law enforcement, stealing a riot shield, and using it to break a Capitol window before entering the building.
In a selfie video taken from inside the Capitol Crypt during the attack, Pezzola proclaimed, “I knew we could take this motherf***** over if we just tried hard enough.” Despite his acquittal on the charge of seditious conspiracy, Pezzola’s actions were described as one of the defining images of the Capitol attack.
During his trial, Pezzola took the stand in his own defense and urged the court to sentence him to five years in prison. He expressed remorse for his actions but also blamed law enforcement for the violence that day. His attorneys argued that there was no conspiracy among the Proud Boys.
As Pezzola left the courtroom after sentencing, he raised his fist and shouted, “Trump won!” His wife, daughter, and mother were present during the sentencing, with each addressing the judge. Pezzola’s wife, Lisa Magee, spoke about the harassment and bullying their daughters have faced at school. His daughter emphasized that she is a college student and a scientist who does not engage in drugs or alcohol, blaming her father for contributing to their negative experiences.
Pezzola’s mother described him as a “wonderful child” who never caused any trouble. The sentencing of Pezzola comes after Judge Kelly sentenced Joseph Biggs and Zachary Rehl, both Proud Boys members, to 17 and 15 years in prison, respectively, for seditious conspiracy. Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, is set to be sentenced on Tuesday.
Scott MacFarlane contributed to this report.
In: Proud Boys
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What role did extremist groups like the Proud Boys play in organizing and leading the violence during the Capitol riot?
Llower of the Proud Boys” by the prosecution, but his defense argued that he had a troubled upbringing and pleaded for leniency. The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola marks the third Proud Boys member to be sentenced this week for their involvement in the Capitol riot.
The sentencing of these Proud Boys members is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the attack on the Capitol accountable. Over 600 individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the riot. The involvement of extremist groups, such as the Proud Boys, in the attack has been a focus of the investigation, with evidence showing their role in organizing and leading the violence.
The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola is a significant step towards justice for the events of January 6. It sends a strong message that those who participated in the attack will face consequences for their actions. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all individuals responsible are brought to justice.
As the investigations and prosecutions continue, it remains to be seen how many more individuals will be held accountable for their involvement in the Capitol riot. This ongoing process emphasizes the need for continued vigilance in addressing domestic terrorism and extremism.
The sentencing of Nordean and Pezzola serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups and the importance of taking actions to prevent future acts of violence. It is crucial to address the root causes of extremism and promote unity and understanding in order to build a safer and more inclusive society.
