Among the four Proud Boy leaders accused of treason conspiracy Hundreds of Capitol riots who will be freed after the pardon and commutation of sentence issued by New opening president Donald Trump.
Enrique Terrio, who was the leader of far right The gang was sentenced to 22 years behind bars at the time of the rebellion four years ago—the longest sentence received by any January 6-er. He was forgiven. His co-defendants Zachary Riehl, Joseph Biggs, and Ethan Nordian, who were previously sentenced to 15, 17, and 18 years, had their sentences reduced and were ordered released on Monday.
Tario’s mother Zuni Duarte told Wired that Enrique will be back in Miami by 3 p.m. Tuesday. He is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Pollock, Louisiana.
Trump issued 14 sentence commutations and blanket pardons for all others convicted in connection with the Capitol riots. In total, about 1,580 people were charged with crimes related to January 6.
“These people are devastated, what they’ve done to these people is despicable, it’s hardly ever happened in the history of this country,” Trump said of the Jan. 6 event from the Oval Office. He also floated conspiracy theories that “outside agitators” and the FBI were somehow responsible for the January 6 violence. Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, who was also convicted of treasonous conspiracy, also had his sentence commuted and will go free.
Trump had teased the upcoming pardon earlier Monday at his event at Capital One Arena, promising the early release of the “J6 hostages.”
“Oh, you’ll be glad to read the papers tomorrow and the day after and the day after that,” he said.
Reached by phone earlier Monday, Duarte told Wired he was hoping for Enrique’s release. “The boys are excited and think we will finally have justice,” Duarte said. “Donald Trump knows what it’s like to be on the litigious and unjust side of things.”
Asked if Terrio was still involved with the Proud Boys, Duarte replied: “That’s a question you should ask him when he’s out.”
Before Trump even put ink to paper, news that correctional facilities were beginning the process to release Jan. 6-ers began circulating online. Social media accounts associated with the Proud Boys were jubilant, and Gavin McInnes, who founded the Proud Boys in 2016, staged a “party for the boys” on a livestream of his show, raising donations to support released gang members. announced
As a first day’s action, it was a wonderful symbol. Four years ago, on January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters, influenced by conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, came to DC and surrounded the Capitol with the goal of preventing a peaceful transfer of power. The ugly scenes left five people dead, more than 140 police officers injured, and Trump leaving Washington in disgrace.
Weeks later, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States under the watchful eyes of riot barriers, barbed wire and more than 25,000 National Guard troops.
