U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly agreed Friday to dismiss the convictions of four Proud Boys members—Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola—following a Justice Department move to vacate their records related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Judge Kelly Vacates Proud Boys Convictions
Judge Timothy Kelly signed off on the Justice Department’s motion to dismiss the convictions of Nordean, Biggs, Rehl, and Pezzola. The ruling follows a May decision by a panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which approved the dismissal and sent the case back to the district court.
In a memorandum, Judge Kelly stated it was “hard to see how any course other than granting the motion in full could make practical sense.” He noted that the government’s move aligns with President Trump’s well-known intentions to extend clemency via Executive Order.
Legal Context of the Jan. 6 Charges
The four men faced severe charges for their roles in the Capitol breach. In 2023, Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy and received lengthy prison sentences. Dominic Pezzola was convicted of obstruction, robbery involving government property, and assaulting or resisting officers.
The Justice Department previously stated that Nordean and Pezzola “participated in every consequential breach at the Capitol.” According to the department, they led Proud Boys onto the grounds, dismantled barricades, breached the building, and assaulted police.
Executive Clemency and the Justice Department
The dismissals are part of a broader pattern of executive action. While President Trump pardoned 1,500 individuals in January 2024, he initially commuted the sentences of 14 people—including Biggs, Rehl, Nordean, and Pezzola—to time served while leaving their convictions intact.
By April, the Justice Department moved to vacate convictions for a dozen former members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Most of these individuals had been convicted of seditious conspiracy. Judge Kelly remarked that President Trump’s views on these prosecutions are based on “fiction.”
Potential Next Steps for the Case
Because this ruling was a procedural measure based on an appellate court’s sign-off, the convictions are now effectively removed. The Justice Department may provide further comment following inquiries from CBS.
Future actions could involve the processing of other similar motions for the remaining members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys who were part of the Justice Department’s April move to vacate convictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the four Proud Boys members whose convictions were dismissed?
The individuals are Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola.
What were the specific charges against these individuals?
Nordean, Biggs, and Rehl were convicted of seditious conspiracy. Pezzola was convicted of obstruction, robbery involving government property, and assaulting or resisting officers.
Why did Judge Kelly agree to the dismissal?
Judge Kelly stated that the government’s move to dismiss was clear and aligned with President Trump’s intention to extend clemency through an Executive Order, making any other course of action impractical.
How should the legal system balance executive clemency with judicial convictions for seditious conspiracy?