“The attack violated our tradition of peaceful transition of power, which is one of the most important things we do in the United States,” the judge said.
Member of the leadership of the far-right Proud Boys organization Joe Biggs was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison for the takeover of the US Capitol building two years ago.
In addition Zachary Rehlanother member of the organization’s leadership, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the same crime.
The prosecutor had demanded a much longer sentence for Biggs, 33 years.
– The attack broke our tradition of a peaceful transition of power, which is one of our most important things in the United States, reasoned the judge Timothy Kelly.
Three other members of the Proud Boys organization are scheduled to be sentenced later for the takeover of the Congress building.
Founder of far-right group Oath Keepers Stewart Rhodes was sentenced in May to 18 years in prison for the Epiphany 2021 congress riot. According to the US Department of Justice, Rhodes and his supporters planned an armed rebellion to oppose the US administration by force.
The former president Donald Trump’s supporters occupied the Congress building in January 2021 to prevent a change of power.
In total, more than 1,100 people have been charged for the congress riot, but the majority of the charges have been mild.