On Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington D.C., U.S. Capitol Police officers confronted rioters, including Dominic Pezzola (center, with police shield), outside the Senate Chamber.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Rioters including Dominic Pezzola with a police shield are confronted outside the Senate Chamber in the Capitol, on January 6, 2021, Washington, D.C.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Dominic Pezola, who was a Proud Boy and became one of most recognizable faces from the U.S. Capitol riot of Jan. 6, more than two year ago, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Judge Timothy Kelly’s decision on Friday was half what the prosecutors wanted for Pezzola. Kelly said that his sentence reflects Pezzola’s lesser role compared to his co defendants and his conduct on that day. In his request for leniency, Pezzola claimed he had given politics up, but as he was being led out of the courtroom, he yelled “Trump won!” “
Pezzola has been convicted for assaulting, resisting and impeding certain police officers as well as robbery of government property. Pezzola, unlike four of his Co-Defendants in the Proud Boys Seditious Conspiracy Case, was acquitted. Although it is far less than the prosecutors wanted, Pezzola received a sentence that was in line with those of his co-defendants Joseph Biggs, and Zachary Rehl, who were sentenced on Thursday. Biggs was sentenced to 17 years, while Rehl received 15 years. This is about half the time that prosecutors wanted for both defendants.
Both sentences are below the 18-year sentence given to Oath Keepers’ founder Stewart Rhodes for his separate conviction of seditious conspiracies for his actions on Jan. 6.1001010Pezzola was known for taking the shield from a cop during the riots. He used it to bash in a Capitol window, allowing other members of the mob to rush into the building.
Pezzola’s family speak on his behalf
In his plea to Judge Kelly and before his outburst, Pezzola said he stood before the court “a changed man. Pezzola became emotional when he spoke to his wife and two daughters. He expressed regret at leaving his wife with their children and missing important events in the lives of his daughters. He told Judge Kelly: “I am standing before you today with a heart filled with regret. “
He stated that his actions of Jan. 6 were the worst and most regrettable decisions of his life. I am fully aware of the gravity of my action. “
Pezzola’s wife Lisa Magee and his daughter, as well as his mother, also spoke to the court, begging for mercy. Pezzola wiped away tears as he heard them explain how his involvement on Jan. 6, and subsequent imprisonment, negatively affected their family.
Magee claimed that her two daughters are victims of bullying and harassment. She said that she is unable to find a job because of the connection with Pezzola. Magee stated that he “truly believes” if he had the power to change what happened on that day, it would have been done.
On May 4, 2023, a government official is seen carrying a police shield that was used to prove Dominic Pezzola’s guilt in federal court, Washington, D.C.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
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An official of the government carries a shield that was used to prove Dominic Pezzola’s guilt in federal court, Washington, D.C., May 4, 2023.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
The last of the Proud Boys await sentencing
Kelly had previously said that he weighed the sentences of other Jan. 6 defendants and was working to avoid large sentencing disparities. It is for this reason that he sentenced Biggs to a much lower sentence than the guidelines and government recommendations. Roger Roots was one of Pezzola’s attorneys. He filed a sentencing memo for his client on the morning of hearing. Roots’ filing warned of “a growing threat in Federal Courts” of severe sentencing differences between “left-wing rioters” and Jan. 6 rioters. Kelly said that sentencing was a serious and solemn matter, and that the late filing had been “inappropriate,” given its tardiness. She struck it off the record.
The sentencing hearings for Tarrio and Nordean, originally scheduled for Wednesday, were delayed after Kelly fell ill.
Nordean’s hearing is rescheduled for later Friday with Tarrio’s to commence on Tuesday, Sept. 5.