Ethan Nordean, Proud Boys leader, gets historic 18-year sentence for Jan. 6 assault.
Proud Boys Leader Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Capitol Attack
WASHINGTON—In a landmark ruling, Proud Boys leader Ethan Michael Nordean has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The sentencing, which includes a terrorism enhancement, was handed down by United States District Judge Timothy Kelly.
Judge Kelly’s decision to impose a harsher sentence on Nordean compared to his co-defendants demonstrates the severity of his actions. However, the sentence falls short of the Department of Justice’s recommendation by nine years. Notably, this 18-year sentence matches the record sentence given to Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III earlier this year.
In previous hearings, Judge Kelly also sentenced other Proud Boys members involved in the attack. Joseph Randall Biggs received 17 years, Zachary Rehl received 15 years, and Dominic Pezzola received 10 years in prison. These sentences were lower than what the prosecutors had sought, but they still reflect the gravity of the crimes committed.
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The sentencing of Proud Boys chairman Henry “Enrique” Tarrio is scheduled for September 5, with the Department of Justice requesting a 33-year prison term.
Ethan Nordean, 33, from Auburn, Washington, was found guilty of multiple charges, including seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and destruction of government property. Judge Kelly applied a terrorism enhancement to Nordean’s destruction-of-property charge, highlighting the Proud Boys’ intent to intimidate and coerce the U.S. government regarding the 2020 presidential election results.
Defense attorneys David B. Smith and Nicholas Smith disagreed with the terrorism enhancement, arguing for a sentencing range of 15 to 21 months in prison. The Department of Justice, on the other hand, sought a 27-year prison term within the federal sentencing guidelines range of 27 to 33.75 years.
The DOJ’s use of an evidence-tampering statute in Jan. 6 cases is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. This novel approach alleges that defendants obstructed the administration of justice during the counting of Electoral College votes, which resulted in a seven-hour delay.
During the sentencing hearing, Nordean, also known as Rufio Panman, expressed remorse for his actions and acknowledged the tragic nature of the events on January 6. He apologized for his lack of leadership that day.
Defied Police
Prosecutors presented evidence that Nordean assumed a leadership role within the Proud Boys during the attack. With Proud Boys chairman Tarrio absent, Nordean became the de facto leader due to his physical presence and reputation for violence.
“Nordean led a group of nearly 200 men to the Capitol and onto Capitol grounds,” prosecutors stated. “He immediately moved to the front of the throng and took action by tearing down the fence, which permitted the rioters to proceed further into the restricted area. He defied law enforcement’s calls to disperse, and he ignored calls from his own men to leave.”
Mr. Nordean was driven by a belief in a second American revolution, promoting a dangerous and unlawful agenda.
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