A prominent figure within the far-right Proud Boys movement has been handed a 17-year prison sentence, making it one of the lengthiest penalties given in relation to the US Capitol riot.

Joe Biggs, aged 38 and a former US Army member, was described by prosecutors as a key agitator behind the breach of the Congress on January 6, 2021. Biggs, once affiliated with Infowars, faced convictions in May for charges such as seditious conspiracy.

During his court appearance, Biggs appealed for clemency and expressed regret for his actions. The sentence, issued by US District Judge Timothy Kelly, falls below both federal sentencing guidelines and the 33-year demand made by the prosecution.

Another Proud Boys associate, Zachary Rehl, was also sentenced recently to 15 years for his involvement in seditious conspiracy. Rehl, a former US Marine who led the Proud Boys' Philadelphia division, was captured on video using a chemical irritant against Capitol officers during the riot.

In May, Biggs was found guilty of several charges, including seditious conspiracy, plotting to utilize intimidation or threats to obstruct officials from performing their duties and interfering with law enforcement during civil unrest.

Prosecutors, in a memo submitted for sentencing, stated that Biggs, an Iraq War veteran and former correspondent for the conspiracy-focused platform Infowars, used his military background to direct and manage large groups of individuals under his command, leading an uprising against the government.

"Biggs viewed himself and his movement as a second American revolution where he and the other 'patriots' would retake the government by force," the memo said.

In court, a tearful Biggs apologized for his actions and said he was "seduced" by the crowd on the day of the riot.

"I just moved forward. My curiosity got the better of me," he added. "I'm not a terrorist. I don't have hate in my heart."

"I know that I have to be punished, and I understand," Biggs said.

As he sentenced Biggs, Judge Kelly said he was "not trying to minimise the violence" but that the 6 January riot paled in comparison to other mass casualty events. He also said that a stricter sentence may have created sentencing disparities with other convicted rioters.

Biggs went to trial alongside four other Proud Boys members including former chair Enrique Tarrio, whose sentencing was abruptly postponed on Wednesday. His sentencing is now scheduled to take place next week. Prosecutors are seeking a 33-year sentence.

The Proud Boys involved in the case have said they plan to appeal against the conviction.

In court, federal prosecutor Jason McCullough said the crimes are "very serious" and that a stiff sentence would send a message ahead of next year's presidential election.

"There is a reason why we will hold our collective breaths as we approach future elections. … They pushed this to the edge of a constitutional crisis," he said.

Prosecutors used text messages, social media posts, and videos to show that the Proud Boys were involved in a co-ordinated effort to stop the certification of the 2020 election at the Capitol.

As of 6 August, over 1,100 people had been arrested on charges related to the riot, resulting in over 630 guilty pleas and 110 convictions.

Another prominent participant in the riot, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in May.

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