In a significant legal development, Joseph Biggs, a leader of the far-right Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. Biggs is among the longest sentences handed down yet for a convicted rioter involved in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. He was convicted by a Washington, DC jury of charges including seditious conspiracy for attempting to forcibly prevent the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election. The judge who handed down the sentence, District Judge Timothy Kelly, emphasized the gravity of the events on January 6 and the importance of upholding the peaceful transfer of power as a cornerstone of American democracy. Prosecutors initially sought to have Biggs sentenced to 33 years in prison, arguing that he actively participated in political violence both during and prior to January 6. However, the judge decided on a lesser sentence to avoid excessive disparities in punishment. This sentencing marks the second longest handed down in connection with the Capitol attack, with the longest being 18 years for Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes.

Sources:

- CNN: Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in January 6 case

- CNN: Former Proud Boys leaders Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl sentenced for Jan. 6 sedition

- The Hill: Here are the 5 longest Jan. 6 sentences so far