Proud Boys leader ordered to stay away from D.C. after being released from jail
Enrique Tarrio was arrested on Monday (Jan. 4) in connection with the burning of a church’s Black Lives Matter banner.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, was ordered to stay away from Washington, D.C. after he was arrested in the city earlier this week. As reported by REVOLT, Tarrio faces destruction of property and weapons charges in connection with the burning of a church’s Black Lives Matter banner last month.
On Tuesday (Jan. 5), Tarrio appeared virtually in court and pleaded not guilty to the felony and misdemeanor charges. He was reportedly released from jail without bail, though the judge ordered him to stay out of D.C. until his next court date, which is scheduled for June 8. The 36-year-old is also not allowed to have possession of any firearms or ammunition when he returns to the city for court.
The judge’s order means that Tarrio will not be able to participate in the pro-Trump protests in Washington today (Jan. 6), as supporters of the president are expected to denounce Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s win. The National Guard was previously deployed at the request of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in anticipation of the protests. Furthermore, no firearms will be allowed in the city.
As reported by REVOLT, Tarrio previously admitted that he was responsible for the burning of the Black Lives Matter banner, which occurred during a pro-Trump rally on Dec. 12. The banner belonged to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, which has since filed a lawsuit against the Proud Boys for destruction of property.
In a post on Parler, Tarrio wrote, “Against the wishes of my attorney I am here today to admit that I am the person responsible for the burning of this sign.”
During a “WarBoys” podcast interview, Tarrio again said he was “the person that went ahead and put the lighter to it and engulfed it in flames.”
“And I’m damn proud I did,” he added.