Judge sentences ex-Proud Boys leader Biggs to 17 years over US Capitol attack

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced former far-right Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs to 17 years in prison, after a jury convicted him of seditious conspiracy for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol in a failed bid to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election defeat.

The sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is below both U.S. sentencing guidelines and far less than the prison term sought by federal prosecutors.

Kelly said he was not "trying to minimize the violence" that occurred on Jan. 6, but he noted that the event was still not on par with a mass casualty event and imposing a stricter sentence could create disparities.

Ahead of his sentencing, Biggs apologized for his actions as he faced Kelly, choking up as he spoke about his daughter whom he said was a sexual assault victim who needs him.

“I was seduced by the crowd, and I just moved forward. My curiosity got the better of me,” said Biggs. “I’m not a terrorist. I don’t have hate in my heart.”

Federal prosecutors had hoped for a 33-year sentence for Biggs and a 30-year term for Biggs' co-defendant Zachary Rehl, who will be sentenced later on Thursday.