WASHINGTON – Former Proud Boys extremist group leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes have been released from prison after their lengthy sentences for seditious conspiracy convictions in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Their charges and sentencing were wiped away by a sweeping order by President Donald Trump benefitting more than 1,500 defendants.
Rhodes and Tarrio were two of the highest-profile defendants Jan. 6 defendants and received some of the harshest punishments in what became the largest investigation in Justice Department history.
Their attorneys confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday they had been released hours after Trump pardoned, commuted the sentences of or ordered the dismissal of cases against all the 1,500-plus people who were charged with federal crimes in the riot.
Zuny Duarte Tarrio was overwhelmed with joy after receiving news that a pardon was coming for her son Enrique Tarrio.
“I knew that we would be redeemed,” she told Local 10 News on Monday.
Early Monday evening, the family released a statement that Tarrio had been pardoned by Trump.
The former Proud Boys leader was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his role in planning the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
Duarte Tarrio said she spoke to her son earlier Monday.
“He’s very excited. It’s surreal to him. He’s ready to go,” Duarte Tarrio said.
Tarrio’s mother was one of a few dozen people gathered at Las Vegas restaurant in Doral for a private watch party, taking in the sights and sounds of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
“It was the best and most exciting inauguration I think ever,” Duarte Tarrio added.
Gina Bisignano, a South Florida native who lives in Los Angeles, was also awaiting news of a pardon.
“If President Trump had not won, America would be done,” Gina said. “I knew that we would be redeemed at some point.”
“I’m looking forward to taking a swim in the ocean, I haven’t swam in four years.. You have no regrets about that? I don’t. We all know that all things work out for good for those who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ,” Bisignano added.
Tarrio was sentenced in September 2023. His attorney requested a pardon from President Trump on his behalf just days before the inauguration, on the anniversary of the Capitol riot.
Trump promised pardons on day one.
“Having him home is like God’s gift to us,” Duarte Tarrio said.
The family said Enrique Tarrio was officially pardoned and released on Monday and that he is expected to return to South Florida on Tuesday afternoon.
Also pardoned was Julian Khater, who was sentenced to six years for assaulting Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick with chemical spray.
Sicknick died the following day after suffering two strokes.
His brother described the pardons as a “betrayal of decency,” while also calling Trump, “a poor excuse of a man.”
Zuny Tarrio said her son is expected to arrive at Miami International Airport on Wednesday.