Philly Proud Boy Charged With Seditious Conspiracy In Jan 6 Incident

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man who was a leader of a local Proud Boy group has been hit with federal charges of seditious conspiracy after authorities said he and four others started a led the Jan. 6, 2021 incident at the United States Capitol during the 2020 election certification.

According to a superseding indictment, Zachary Rehl, 36, of Philadelphia, and four other members of the right-wing gang the Proud Boys, fomented and spearheaded the incident.

Rehl is a veteran and the son of two Philadelphia police officers who was arrested in March 2021 on charges related to the Jan. 6 incident.

Also charged were Proud Boys national leader Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, Dominic Pezzola, Ethan Nordean, and Joe Biggs.

Federal authorities claim the five Proud Boys, which authorities describe a "pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists," conspired to oppose transfer of power from President Donald Trump, who championed the stolen election claims, to then President-Elect Joe Biden.

They are accused of encouraging others to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6, 2021 by various means, including social media and encrypted communications.

On Jan. 6, 2021, authorities allege the five directed and mobilized attendees into the Capitol, destroyed property, assaulted law enforcement.

The indictment claims Rehl and others got beyond barriers at about 1 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021 and within minutes were in the front of the mob.

Authorities said Pezzola and others in the crowd entered the Capitol at about 2:15 p.m. and Rehl got into the Capitol at about 2:53 p.m.

In total, Rehl, Tarrio, Nordean, and Biggs are facing nine counts, and Pezzola 10, according to the indictment.

According to the Washington Post, Rehl's lawyer called the action by prosecutors ahead of his upcoming trial exceedingly heavy-handed against him.

The attorney claimed Rehl did not commit any acts of violence and "at worst is allegedly to have associated with the Proud Boys as his right under the First Amendment."