Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison

Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs was convicted Thursday in connection with his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots. Convicted in May of riot conspiracy, conspiracy to use action, intimidation or threats to prevent them from carrying out their duties and interference When convicted of rioting by law enforcement officials, he was given a 17-year sentence – one of the longest sentences ever, like that Founder of Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, who received an 18-year sentence.

“Biggs viewed himself and his movement as a second American revolution, in which he and the other ‘patriots’ would take back the government by force,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memo. According to report by BBCBiggs cried in court, apologized for his actions and claimed to have been “seduced” by the crowd on the day of the riot.

“I just kept going. My curiosity got the better of me,” he said. “I’m not a terrorist. I have no hate in my heart…I know I need to be punished and I understand.”