Two Proud Boys members given lengthy prison terms for Jan 6 Capitol riot
Dominic Pezzola, centre left, is accused of assaulting a police officer and stealing his riot shield during the US Capitol attack on January 6, 2021 [File: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo]
Dominic Pezzola and Ethan Nordean, members of the far-right Proud Boys group, have been slapped with prison sentences of 10 and 18 years respectively for their involvement in the 2021 Capitol assault.
Pezzola, a 46-year-old from Rochester, New York, garnered a decade behind bars after footage showcased him using a police shield to break into the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Even with his show of remorse before the verdict, he left the courtroom chanting the unfounded claim that fueled the Capitol breach: “Trump won.”
These baseless assertions, propagated by former President Trump and his affiliates, had falsely painted the 2020 elections as manipulated in favor of the Democrats.
The 33-year-old Ethan Nordean of Auburn, Washington received an 18-year sentence, equating to the highest penalty given to any Capitol riot participant. As the Seattle Proud Boys chapter president, prosecutors labeled him as “the attack’s undoubted leader.” Allegations against Nordean include marshaling about 200 supporters from a Trump rally, breaching the Capitol barriers, and engaging the police.
This sentencing follows the heels of two other Proud Boys, Zachary Rehl, and Joseph Biggs, who received 15 and 17 years respectively. In total, five members of the Proud Boys, including the mentioned four, were convicted in May for the Capitol disturbance. Notably, all but Pezzola faced the grave charge of seditious conspiracy, suggesting plans to forcefully counteract the US government.
