Two prominent members of the Proud Boys, a far-right group, are set to be sentenced on Friday morning by the federal judge who oversaw their trial. Ethan Nordean and Joseph Biggs played significant roles in the group’s march on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Nordean was chosen to lead the group in Washington after the leader, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, was banned from the city. Nordean and Biggs directed around 200 men away from a rally featuring then-President Donald Trump and towards the Capitol. They were seen marching towards the building before Trump’s remarks and later encouraged both Proud Boys and Trump supporters to overrun the police and enter the Capitol.
On Thursday, Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison, while another leader of the group, Zachary Rehl, received a 15-year term. Video evidence captured Dominic Pezzola using a stolen police shield to break through a window on the Capitol’s west terrace, enabling the first breach of the building. Pezzola then filmed himself inside the Capitol, smoking a cigar and celebrating. The prosecution is seeking enhanced sentences for Nordean and Pezzola, arguing that their actions qualify as terrorism. If granted, Nordean could face a sentencing range of 27 to 34 years, while Pezzola could face a range of 17 to 22 years.
The jury convicted Nordean of seditious conspiracy but acquitted Pezzola of the same charge. Both men were convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent federal officers from doing their duties, and destruction of government property over $1,000. Pezzola was also convicted of robbery for stealing a police shield. Prosecutors highlighted Pezzola’s lies to the FBI and false accusations against Biggs during the trial. Pezzola claimed that the trial was a sham and that January 6 was a setup involving federal agents, informants, and antifa.
Nordean, known for his fiery rhetoric denouncing the 2020 presidential election and government officials, was an enthusiastic member of the Proud Boys. He rose to prominence in far-right circles after a video of him punching protesters in Portland circulated online. Nordean and Biggs led the group that gathered at the Washington Monument on January 6 and marched towards the Capitol. Prosecutors described Nordean as acting like the general of an army as they neared the building. The group overwhelmed Capitol police, tore down a fence, and charged up the steps
How does the defense argue that Nordean and Biggs were not responsible for inciting violence or organizing an insurrection
Roud Boys and other supporters to storm the Capitol.
Nordean, also known as Rufio Panman, was charged with multiple offenses, including conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding and aiding and abetting. Biggs, a Proud Boys organizer, faced similar charges. Both men were indicted by a grand jury in March and pleaded not guilty.
During their trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that Nordean and Biggs played instrumental roles in organizing and leading the Proud Boys’ actions on January 6th. They argued that the defendants had conspired with other far-right groups to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College results, seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Video footage and social media posts were presented as evidence, showing Nordean and Biggs directing their followers towards the Capitol and later celebrating their actions. The prosecution also presented messages exchanged between the defendants and fellow Proud Boys members, discussing plans for the day and expressing their intention to engage in violent actions.
The defense, however, argued that Nordean and Biggs were not responsible for inciting violence or organizing an insurrection. They claimed that the two defendants were exercising their constitutional rights to protest and that they had no control over the actions of their followers.
The trial drew significant attention as it shed light on the inner workings of the Proud Boys and its members’ involvement in the attack on the Capitol. The group has been labeled as a white supremacist organization by civil rights organizations, although its leaders deny the accusation.
As Nordean, 39, and Biggs, 37, await their sentencing, the outcome is being closely watched by both supporters and critics of the Proud Boys. If found guilty, the defendants could face significant prison sentences. The judge’s ruling could also set a precedent for future cases involving individuals involved in the January 6th attack.
