Philadelphia

Former leader of Philly Proud Boys chapter has sentence commuted by Trump

As Donald Trump took office, he pardoned and commuted sentences for over 1,500 people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Among them was Zachary Rehl, the former head of the Proud Boys in Philadelphia

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In one of his first actions in his second time as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order to pardon or commute the prison sentences of more than 1,500 people charged with crimes in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers.

Among the 14 people to have their sentences commuted was Zachary Rehl, of Port Richmond, the former president of the Proud Boys' Philadelphia chapter -- a right-wing extremist group that describes itself as "Western chauvinists."

Rehl was arrested back in 2021 and, officials said he was captured on video spraying a chemical irritant at officers at the Capitol during Jan. 6, 2021 and was facing up to 15 years in prison.

More than 100 police officers were injured in the attack at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

With this move, Trump also pardoned Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was serving a 22 year prison sentence after being convicted of seditious conspiracy.

A spokesperson with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office told NBC10 that they plan to file state charges.

"We are exploring the possibility of state charges for certain Jan. 6 insurrectionists who were pardoned or had their sentences commuted," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The office also noted that they may have more information on Thursday.

Note: This story has been updated to note that Rehl's sentence was commuted.

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