Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio jailed for 22 years for Capitol riot

Former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio has been jailed for 22 years for orchestrating the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. 

It’s the longest sentence handed to someone involved in the attack – which saw Trump supporters storm the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. 

Tarrio, 39 was not in Washington during the riot but helped organise the far-right group’s involvement. 

Tarrio was convicted in May of seditious conspiracy, a Civil War-era charge, and multiple other counts. He has been in jail since his arrest last year.

Prosecutors described Tarrio as “a general rather than a soldier.”

Before he was sentenced, Tarrio apologised to police and residents of Washington DC for his role in the riot and acknowledged Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. 

Trump continues to push the conspiracy theory the 2020 election was ‘stolen’ from him. He has promised to pardon most or all of the rioters if he is re-elected president in 2024.

I am extremely ashamed and disappointed that they were caused grief and suffering,” he said. “I will have to live with that shame for the rest of my life.”

He added: “I was my own worst enemy. My hubris convinced me that I was a victim and targeted unfairly.”