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Proud Boys leader Henry "Enrique" Tarrio has been sentenced to 155 days in jail after stealing a Black Lives Matter Flag from Asbury United Methodist Church and burning it. He was also charged with transporting high-capacity firearm magazines days before the Capitol Hill Riots took place on January 6. The incident in question took place in December and Tarrio was arrested on January 4, two days before the Capitol insurrection.
Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills of Asbury United Methodist Church characterized Tarrio's action as an “act of intimidation.”
“His careless act of violence and hatred, targeted at a congregation of individuals with a lived history of social and racial injustice, had the presumably desired effect,” Mills told the Associated Press.
“Asbury was forced to reckon with the very tangible evidence that we continue to live in a world where people radicalize hate based upon race and skin color.”
Tarrio attempted to apologize for his actions, calling them “a grave mistake." However, the prosecution felt that Tarrio "did not credibly express genuine remorse" and Superior Court Judge Harold Cushenberry agreed. As a result, Tarrio's sentence exceeded the three-month sentence that was previously recommended.
“Mr. Tarrio has clearly — intentionally and proudly — crossed the line from peaceful protest and assembly to dangerous and potentially violent criminal conduct,” Cushenberry said.
Scott McFarlane reports that Tarrio will serve his sentence in Washington, D.C.
"Dozens of Jan 6 defendants, including some other accused Proud Boys, are already there," he added.
Tarrio will also spend three years on probation and be subject to several fines of an undisclosed amount.
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