(screen capture via YouTube)Ethan Nordean and Dominic Pezzola, two members of the Proud Boys, were sentenced to prison on Friday for their actions on January 6, 2021, in the violent invasion of the U.S. Capitol building.
Nordean, seen as a ground commander of the extremist group, received an 18-year prison sentence, and Pezzola, who was captured on video smashing a window of the Capitol building with a stolen police riot shield, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Two more stories to file under “F*cked around, found out.”
Breaking News: A Proud Boys leader was sentenced to 18 years for his role in the Capitol attack, matching the longest prison term handed down in a Jan. 6 case. https://t.co/x9JIol81jx
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 1, 2023
From the New York Times:
The sentences imposed on Mr. Nordean and Mr. Pezzola were the third and fourth to have been handed down this week to five members of the far-right group who were tried in May for seditious conspiracy and other crimes in one of the most significant prosecutions to have emerged from the Capitol attack.
While Mr. Pezzola’s sentence was only half of the 20 years the government had requested, Mr. Nordean’s was the stiffest penalty issued so far in any case related to the Capitol attack and was the same as term given in May to Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oath Keepers militia, who was also found guilty of sedition in connection with Jan. 6.
The Proud Boys member who gained national renown for smashing a window at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, enabling the first breach of the building by rioters, was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison. https://t.co/aMJmPFSmD0
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 1, 2023
And from the Washington Post:
“The truth is I did help lead a group of men back to the Capitol,” Nordean told the judge. “There is no excuse for my actions, ignoring police commands, going past barricades, entering the Capitol, adding myself to the dangerous situation was sorely irresponsible.”
Video also captured the moments when Pezzola, 46, of Rochester, N.Y., used a police riot shield to break through glass on the Capitol’s west terrace, enabling what prosecutors have said was the first breach of the building at 2:11 p.m.
About 20 minutes later, Pezzola filmed a video of himself inside the Capitol, smoking a cigar and reveling.
Pezzola was reportedly very repentant today in his remarks prior to sentencing. This contrasted greatly from his sharp, pointed behavior on the witness stand during the trial.
HAPPENING NOW: Proud Boy Dominic PEZZOLA, who committed one of the most memorable acts on Jan. 6 when he smashed a Senate window with a stolen police riot shield — and then lit up a victory cigar in the Capitol — is in the courtroom and prepared to face sentencing. pic.twitter.com/oL7akLJxcp
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) September 1, 2023
Pezzola was something to behold on that witness stand. He was charming on direct when his temper was under control. But when prosecutors put him under cross and he faced intense scrutiny, like Zach Rehl, he became short, aggressive, and arrogant.
Link:https://t.co/uERiYXY0Kk pic.twitter.com/lhgkdNMeLh
— Brandi Buchman (@Brandi_Buchman) September 1, 2023
PEZZOLA now addressing his family, regretting missing his daughter’s high school graduation, getting her driver’s license.
“To my beloved wife Lisa. I have broken this family and crushed your heart. My sorrow and regret is unimaginable.”
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) September 1, 2023
PEZZOLA acknowledges the dark stain on history that his actions helped cause, apologizes to the officer he assaulted, Mark Ode, and says “I never should have crossed the barrier at the Capitol that day.”
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) September 1, 2023