WA Proud Boy sentenced to 18 years for role in Jan. 6 insurrection

Ethan Nordean has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when members of the far-right Proud Boys, under his authority, were among those who stormed the U.S. Capitol building.

Prosecutors wanted Nordean to serve 27 years. Nordean had sought a far lighter sentence, arguing his conduct could not be distinguished from that of hundreds of other people that day, but U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Kelly was not sympathetic to that argument.

"None of Nordean's arguments convinced me that the jury's verdict could not stand," Judge Kelly said after hearing several post-trial arguments on Tuesday.

Judge Kelly also considered statement from officers who defended the Capitol, such as Officer Mark Ode, who wrote a letter to the judge, stating: "They determined their opinion was superior to the Constitution ... and they decided to use violence and terror to impose their will .... I respectfully ask [this court] to consider my experience and all of those who held the line on January 6 and their families who still continue to hold watch [over them]."

On Friday, Nordean's sister told the judge about his ability to bring people together. His wife emphasized the importance of having Nordean present when his daughter learns to drive and start dating.