37-year-old Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio pleaded guilty to burning a Black Lives Matter flag that was torn down from a historic D.C. black church back in December.
The Miami native also pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device after authorities found two firearm magazines when he was arrested.
The church has a pending lawsuit against Tarrio, who is the Proud Boys’ national chairman. Asbury’s senior pastor, Rev. Ianther M. Mills, said in a statement Monday:
“We are pleased that Mr. Tarrio is taking responsibility for his actions.”
Tarrio and a group of the Proud Boys committed the crime back on the evening of December 12, 2020. They stole the flag from the Asbury United Methodist Church at 11th and K Streets NW, according to court documents. Following the incident, Tarrio admitted on social media and to news media outlets that he burned the banner.
On January 4, Tarrio returned to D.C. two days before the insurrection. He was arrested on a warrant based on the destruction of property. In the D.C. Superior Court he pleads guilty to the destruction of property and attempted possession of a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, Tarrio faces up to 180 days incarceration and/or a $1,000 fine on each charge. He is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 23. Tarrio faces a mandatory court order that restricts him to stay away from the District of Columbia while his sentence is pending.
