In the aftermath of last year’s US Capitol riot, one of the leaders of the far-right Proud Boys has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, one of the longest sentences handed down.

Prosecutors allege that US Army veteran Joe Biggs, 38, was an “instigator” of the storming of Congress on 6 January 2021.

A May conviction for seditious conspiracy and other charges was handed down to the former Infowars correspondent.

Biggs expressed regret for his actions and pleaded for leniency in court.

According to US District Judge Timothy Kelly, the sentence is lower than both federal sentencing guidelines and the 33-year sentence requested by prosecutors.

During the riot, Rehl, a former US Marine and leader of the Philadelphia branch of the Proud Boys, sprayed a chemical irritant at officers.

A slew of charges were brought against Biggs in May, including seditious conspiracy, intimidation or threats to prevent officials from discharging their duties and interference with law enforcement.

Prosecutors said Biggs, a former correspondent for Infowars and a veteran of the war in Iraq, used his military experience to lead a “revolt” against the government.

According to the memo, Biggs saw himself and his movement as a second American revolution in which he and his fellow ‘patriots’ would retake power by force.

On the day of the riot, Biggs apologized tearfully to the court and said the crowd had “seduced” him.

“I just moved forward,” he said. “My curiosity took over.”. No, I’m not a terrorist.

As Biggs said, “I understand that I must be punished.”.

During his sentencing, Judge Kelly said he wasn’t trying to minimize the violence, but that the 6 January riot paled in comparison with other mass casualty events. According to him, a harsher sentence might have created a disparity between the sentences handed down to other convicted rioters.

There is a plan to appeal against the conviction by the Proud Boys involved in the case.