Proud Boy weeps as he’s sentenced to 10 years for key role in January 6 Insurrection

The Proud Boys member who led the charge into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Dominic Pezzola, who the New York Times described as a “rank-and-file” member of the far-right hate group, was convicted of six felonies, including assaulting a police officer, conspiracy to keep members of Congress from certifying the 2020 election, and destruction of government property. He is the only one of the five Proud Boys found guilty in connection with their actions during the January 6 insurrection to avoid a conviction for seditious conspiracy.

Related:

Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio & 3 others found guilty of sedition in January 6 riots

The Proud Boys tried to blame Donald Trump for their violent actions. It didn’t work.

According to NPR, Pezzola begged Judge Timothy Kelly for leniency on Friday, telling the court that he was “a changed man” and apologizing for his actions, which included stealing a police shield which he used to smash a window allowing other rioters to enter the Capitol building.

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“I stand before you with a heart full of regret,” Pezzola told Kelly. “This was the worst, most regrettable decision of my life. I fully realize the gravity of my actions.”

When his daughter Angelina addressed the court on behalf of her father, CNN reports that Pezzola sobbed at the defense table.

The sentence Kelly handed down was reportedly half of what prosecutors had sought in the case. Still, despite his plea for leniency and stated remorse, Pezzola turned defiant as he was led out of the courtroom, shouting, “Trump won!”

Pezzola, who Kelly described as “the tip of the spear that allowed people to get into the Capitol,” is the third Proud Boys member to be sentenced this week. On Thursday, Kelly sentenced Joseph Biggs to 17 years in federal prison, and Zachary Rehl to 15 years. Biggs and Rehl were convicted in May alongside Ethan Nordean and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio of seditious conspiracy for directing members of the far-right group to storm the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. As NPR reports, Nordean’s sentencing hearing is also scheduled for Friday, while Tarrio’s will take place on September 5.

Since the January 2021 Capitol insurrection, local Proud Boys chapters have reportedly been forging alliances with other right-wing activists in their communities around culture war issues like anti-vaccine efforts, abortion, masking mandates, and so-called parental rights in education. Last year, the violent all-male, neo-fascist group’s involvement in anti-LGBTQ+ protests tripled compared to 2021. Members of the gang in at least 11 states showed up at libraries and restaurants hosting drag queen story hours and drag brunches. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), 20 percent of all demonstrations involving Proud Boys since 2020 have turned violent, and members of the group are increasingly likely to be armed.