The leader of the attack on Capitol Hill was sentenced to 17 years in prison

The leader of an extreme right-wing group Proud Boys and US Army veteran Joe Biggs, 38, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, one of the longest sentences ever handed down for the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021. The court concluded that he was one of the instigators.

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The former Infovars correspondent was convicted in May of sedition, conspiracy and other charges. In court, Biggs expressed remorse for his actions and said he would receive a lesser sentence. Prosecutors sought a prison sentence of 33 years.

Another member Proud Boys Zachary Rell was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison, also on conspiracy charges.

Rell is a former US Marine and the leader of the Philadelphia chapter Proud Boys-a, and he was seen on video spraying chemical poison on guards in front of the Capitol during the riots.

Biggs was also convicted in May of a variety of charges, including rioting, intimidation or threats to prevent officials from carrying out their duties and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disturbance.

In the sentencing memo, prosecutors said Biggs - an Iraq war veteran and former correspondent for the conspiracy website Infowars - "used his military experience to direct and control large groups of people under his command" to lead an "insurgency against the government".

MJ/BBC

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