Proud Boys Leader Pleads Guilty In Black Lives Matter Banner Case

WASHINGTON, DC — The leader of the far-right Proud Boys pleaded guilty Monday to two misdemeanors, including one related to burning a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a Washington, D.C. church in December as part of the group’s violent actions in support of then-President Donald Trump in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Henry “Enrique” Tarrio appeared in D.C. Superior Court to plead guilty to property destruction for burning a Black Lives Matter banner that belonged to a historic Black church in D.C. He also pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a high-capacity magazine, a violation of local gun control laws. He could face up to one year in jail on the two charges.

The charges were filed in Superior Court of the District of Columbia and are separate from the federal investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Trump during which dozens of Proud Boys stormed the building and have since been charged with conspiracy and other crimes.

Acting U.S. Attorney Channing Phillips and Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee III announced the pleas. Each offense carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 23. While awaiting sentencing, Tarrio, who lives in Miami, must continue to abide by a court order to stay away from the District of Columbia.

The burning of the Black Lives Banner occurred on Dec. 12, when unidentified members of the Proud Boys stole a Black Lives Matter banner from Asbury United Methodist Church at 11th and K streets, according to the Justice Department. The group then burned the banner at a nearby intersection, the department said.

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Tarrio posted a picture to his Parler social media account showing himself holding an unlit lighter near the Black Lives Matter banner and later admitted to burning the banner in social media comments and to numerous media outlets.

The Proud Boys leader returned to D.C. Florida on Jan. 4, 2021, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with the Dec. 12, 2020, destruction of property offense.

In a search of his book bag, conducted at the time of his arrest, police recovered two high-capacity firearm magazines. Each magazine bars the insignia of the “Proud Boys.” In an interview with police, Tarrio told detectives that he had intended to transfer the magazines to a customer who was also going to be present in the District of Columbia, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Six months since the Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, more than 500 people have been arrested. The arrests include dozens of members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, two far-right groups that prosecutors allege were involved in communication and planning before the rioting occurred.