In a significant development in the aftermath of the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, former leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, Enrique Tarrio, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. This marks the longest prison term handed down so far in relation to the attack on the US legislature. US District Judge Timothy Kelly delivered the sentence on Tuesday, referring to Tarrio as "the ultimate leader" of the January 6 conspiracy. Judge Kelly emphasized the damage caused by the events of that day to American customs that uphold the rule of law and the Constitution, stating that it shattered the tradition of peacefully transferring power.

Tarrio himself was not present in Washington, DC during the storming of the Capitol building, but was convicted in May of various charges, including seditious conspiracy, for his involvement in planning the events of January 6. The attack saw a mob of then-President Donald Trump's supporters attempt to halt the certification of the 2020 election results, which Trump had claimed were “stolen” from him. Tarrio, in his plea for mercy, insisted that he was not a political zealot and that his goal was not to inflict harm or alter the election's outcome. He appealed to the court not to take away his 40s from him.

Tarrio's sentencing follows the recent imprisonment of three other Proud Boys members who were found guilty of seditious conspiracy. They received prison terms ranging from 15 to 18 years. Additionally, another group member, who was not convicted of seditious conspiracy, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday.

The US Attorney General, Merrick Garland, has vowed to ensure accountability for the Capitol attack, stating that there is no higher priority for the Department of Justice. Last month, the Justice Department reported that over 1,106 defendants had been charged across all 50 states and the District of Columbia in relation to the riot. More than 600 individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges, while approximately 110 have been found guilty at trial.

The sentencing of Tarrio and his fellow Proud Boys members aims to send a strong message that such acts should not be repeated, and that there will be consequences for those who attempt to undermine democracy. Federal prosecutors had initially sought a 33-year prison sentence for Tarrio, alleging that he played a pivotal role in inciting violence and organizing the attack. However, Tarrio's legal team denied any plot to attack the Capitol, arguing that participating in a protest is distinct from directing others to storm the building.

In a related development, Dominic Pezzola, another member of the Proud Boys, received a 10-year prison sentence on Friday for his involvement in the Capitol attack. Pezzola was captured on video using a police shield to force his way into the Capitol building. Despite expressing remorse prior to his sentencing, Pezzola reaffirmed his support for the false claim that Trump had won the election as he left the courtroom in Washington, DC.

The sentencing hearings for Tarrio and Pezzola took place after Judge Kelly handed down a 15-year sentence to Zachary Rehl and a 17-year sentence to Joseph Biggs, both prominent figures within the Proud Boys. Biggs' sentence is the second-longest prison term awarded to any participant in the Capitol riot. The five Proud Boys, including Tarrio, Rehl, and Pezzola, were all found guilty of various charges related to the attack. While the co-defendants, except for Pezzola, were convicted of seditious conspiracy, Pezzola's charges included assaulting a police officer.

The January 6 Capitol attack resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a police officer, and left more than 140 police officers injured. The Capitol itself suffered extensive damage amounting to millions of dollars. The ongoing investigations and prosecutions seek to hold all those involved accountable for their actions and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.