USA: Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs is sentenced to 17 years in prison for attacking the Capitol

The leader of the organization that marched towards the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 was sentenced to 17 years in prison by a Washington jury.

Joe Biggs was charged with several counts, including conspiracy, for trying to prevent the exchange of power between then-President Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Penalty smaller than requested

Prosecutors have asked U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly that he be sentenced to 33 years in prison. The arguments used were that Biggs and the other defendants “intentionally positioned themselves at the forefront of political violence in this country” and sought to change the course of American history.

On the day of the attack, the attackers managed to get through local security and enter the building that is the political symbol of the United States. With iron bars and chemical sprays, the invaders used force and destroyed many objects of historical value, threatening journalists and congressmen.

Judge Kelly, however, handed down the sentence of 17 years and justified that he did not want to “minimize the violence that occurred”. The sentence brings the second longest sentence ever handed down to a defendant convicted of the Capitol attacks.

Who received the longest sentence, 18 years, was the leader and founder of the Oath Keeper — an extreme right-wing anti-government American organization — Stewart Rhodes.

“I know I made a mistake”

Dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, Biggs said he knew he should be punished: ““I know I made a mistake that day, but I am not a terrorist” and made an appeal: “please give me the opportunity, I beg you, to take my daughter to school and pick her up”.

Joe Biggs was sentenced to more severe sentences for domestic terrorism. He knocked down a fence on Capitol grounds during the riot. This action allowed a crowd to invade the area where the police were, which made the invasion easier.

*With information from CNN International

Source: CNN Brasil

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