Proud Boys leader, 3 others found guilty in US capital of seditious conspiracy

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A federal jury in the nation's capital found Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three other defendants guilty on Thursday of seditious conspiracy for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the US capitol.

Tarrio, the longtime chairman of the neofascist Proud Boys group, Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Dominic Pezzola and Zachary Rehl faced a series of charges for their actions surrounding that day. In addition to Tarrio, the jury convicted Biggs, Nordean and Rehl of seditious conspiracy, according to multiple reports.

The jury was deadlocked on whether Pezzola also committed the crime, and the judge ordered them to carry out further deliberations.

All of the defendants were reportedly found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging their duties, obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and destruction of government property.

The case is one of the most high-profile prosecutions taken in relation to the events of Jan. 6 when former President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the federal legislature that day in a failed bid to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to President Joe Biden.

Tarrio was not physically present in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, having been arrested two days prior and ordered to leave the nation's capital after having been found in possession of high-capacity rifle magazines. But he was accused of working behind the scenes to plot the attack that saw droves of Trump's supporters overrun law enforcement and occupied the Capitol.

The jury's decision on Thursday marks a significant victory for prosecutors leading the effort to hold those responsible to account. Over 1,000 people have been arrested in connection to the events that day with over 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Tarrio and the other defendants face up to 20 years in prison.