Crime & Safety
Trump Commutes Philly Proud Boy Leader's Jan 6 Prison Sentence
Zachary Rehl's 15-year federal prison sentence Monday was commuted via President Donald Trump's executive order.
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man who was convicted and sentenced for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the United States Capital had his sentence commuted on the first day of President Donald Trump's second term.
In September 2023, Zachary Rehl was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on seditious conspiracy charges after authorities said he helped orchestrate what became a breach of the capital building on that day.
Trump via executive order commuted Rehl's sentence, along with 14 others who have already been convicted of crimes related to the incident. The order also grants a full, complete and unconditional pardon to anyone convicted of offenses related to the incident, dismisses all pending indictments filed against anyone in connection to the incident.
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Rehl's criminal record will show "time served," via the order.
The Philadelphia Inquirer Monday reported it's unclear when exactly Rehl would be freed.
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Rehl, a veteran and the son of two Philadelphia police officers who was arrested in March 2021 on charges related to the incident.
Rehl was the leader of the Philadelphia Proud Boys and federal authorities claimed he and several other members of the group encouraged others to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6, 2021 by various means, including social media and encrypted communications.
Federal authorities claim Rehl and other Proud Boys, which is described as a "pro-Western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world; aka Western Chauvinists," conspired to oppose the transfer of power from President Donald Trump, who championed the stolen election claims, to then President-Elect Joe Biden.
Authorities alleged the five "directed and mobilized attendees" into the Capitol, destroyed property, assaulted law enforcement, on Jan. 6, 2021.
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.
Rehl got into the Capitol at about 2:53 p.m., according to authorities
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