A leader of the Proud Boys who led the far-right organization’s infamous march to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, was sentenced Wednesday to 17 years in prison – among the longest sentence handed down yet for a convicted rioter.

Joe Biggs was convicted by a Washington, DC jury of several charges including seditious conspiracy for attempting to forcibly prevent the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 election.

The government wanted Biggs to serve 33 years in federal prison. That’s 15 years longer than the longest sentence in a Jan. 6 case to date: the 18-year sentence that went to Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, also convicted of seditious conspiracy, after prosecutors sought 25 years in federal prison.

    • Jaysyn@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      1.) First of all, fuck Joe Biggs, he’s a traitor.

      2.) Federal Sentencing Guidelines are a thing.

      3.) 17 Years is not a slap on the wrist. He’ll be losing his military benefits & retirement as well.

      4.) The government may still appeal this sentencing, as they are for Steward Rhodes.

      5.) He’s subject to USMJ & has been found guilty of Sedition. They can still have a turn with him.

        • Wookie@artemis.camp
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          1 year ago

          He tried to overthrow a democratic elected government. What do you think they would have done have they ran into Pelossi or Pence? They had nooses. It was pre-planned and we don’t even know who in the government helped them. I’m not American btw

        • Wahots@pawb.social
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          1 year ago

          He literally tried to overthrow the government and overturn the peaceful transition of power through a coup. People died that day defending goverment workers from people who were going around with flexicuffs and blindfolds while other people strung up nooses. They were planning on executing innocent people.

          Officers defending them got beaten so badly, they died the next day.

        • donuts@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          Imagine punishing someone for attacking democracy and attempted an armed insurrection. I don’t believe in the death sentence on moral grounds, but life imprisonment is a suitable alternative for the most extreme crimes.

          I’m curious how Europe, with its long history of revolution, torture and guillotines, would handle a coup attempt.

          • ArtieShaw@kbin.social
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            1 year ago

            I guess we’ll get to find out when and if Germany prosecutes theirs. Wiki.

            BBC article

            They didn’t actually get as far as storming the capitol, but it seems like it was in the plans.

        • Jaysyn@kbin.social
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          1 year ago

          He's a military vet that attacked his country, he's lucky he's not being executed.