Amid an atmosphere of palpable unease today, Joseph Biggs, a distinguished veteran and two-time recipient of the Purple Heart, received a 204-month – or 17-year – prison term for walking in the Capitol building for approximately 20 minutes during the Capitol riot on January 6.
Judge Timothy Kelly’s decision to impose this sentence has raised additional questions regarding the fairness and proportionality of punishments handed out to January 6 defendants. This is particularly noteworthy given Biggs’ history of military service and the specifics of his actions during the protest.
Suzzanne Monk, an advocate for J6 defendants and also a reporter covering the Proud Boys trial for AMP News, has attended nearly every day of the Proud Boys trials. She criticized Judge Kelly’s verdict to The Gateway Pundit, asserting, “Judge Kelly’s decision is an attack on the constitutional principles of this country and will lead to far more violence and division in our nation.”
Monk further argued that the judge should recuse himself from all cases related to the events of January 6th, adding, “I love Joe. Joe Biggs is a hero. He deserves none of this. None of these sentences will stand through appeals and congressional action.”
Initially, the government sought a 33-year sentence for Biggs, a request that Judge Kelly found to be “egregious.” The judge highlighted that previous individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy had engaged in considerably more severe acts, including murder and bombings that resulted in multiple deaths.
The severity of the sentence has drawn criticism, particularly in comparison to other instances linked to the Capitol protest. Judge Kelly went so far as to acknowledge that issuing a more stringent sentence could result in disparities in judicial outcomes.
Biggs’ mother is battling cancer while caring for his 6-year-old daughter. Attending the trial or visiting her son in jail places her in jeopardy of losing her job, like family members of other January 6th defendants have after their employers find out about their association with a person deemed a “J6 terrorist” by the government.
The weightiness of Biggs’ sentence, particularly when considering his military service and the absence of violence in his participation, prompts a closer evaluation of whether justice is being genuinely upheld.
