Proud Boys Leader, 4 Others Face New Charges Over Jan. 6 Riot

WASHINGTON, DC — The leader and four members of the far-right group Proud Boys are facing new federal charges in connection with their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday.

Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, 38, of Miami has been charged with one count of seditious conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties, in connection with Tarrio's role in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Tarrio, the former national chairman of the Proud Boys, was previously indicted on seven other charges, according to federal officials.

Ethan Nordean, 31, of Auburn, Washington; Joseph Biggs, 38, of Ormond Beach, Florida; Zachary Rehl, 37, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Dominic Pezzola, 44, of Rochester, New York, are facing the same additional charges.

According to court documents, Tarrio created a special chapter of the Proud Boys known as the "Ministry of Self Defense." Through the group, Tarrio, Nordean, Biggs, Rehl, and Pezzola conspired to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, authorities said.

All five men are accused of mobilizing and leading members of the Proud Boys in attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Tarrio and his co-defendants claimed credit for what happened on social media and in an encrypted chat room during and after the attack, authorities said.

A sixth defendant, who was charged with the group in an earlier indictment, pleaded guilty in April. Charles Donohoe, 34, of Kernersville, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers.

All five members remain in police custody. So far, they have pleaded not guilty to all earlier charges.