Ethan Nordean, the Washington state head of the Proud Boys, a white supremacist terrorist organization, was sentenced on September 1, 2023, to 18 years in federal prison on charges including seditious conspiracy.
Nordean’s sentence tied with him with Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, who also was sentenced to 18 years in May for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason McCullough described Nordean, who was known in right-wing circles by the name Rufio Panman as “the undisputed leader on the ground on Jan. 6,” the Associated Press reported.
Prosecutors said Nordean’s words and online posts became increasingly violent in the days preceding January 6. On that day, he led 200 men toward the Capitol, then moved to the front of the mob and helped tear down a fence. This allowed rioters to charge onto the grounds and confront police, according to court documents.
In its sentencing memorandum, the Department of Justice said Nordean “embraced his role as the leader” of a group of the “rally boys,” who were among the first to breach the Capitol.
“Nordean knew that he was leading those men into a conflict with the government itself,” the memo says.
The Seattle Times reported that Nordean had a reputation for his brutishness during brawls.
“Nordean’s prominence in the group was the result of his large stature and reputation for doling out physical violence,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Nordean’s “radicalization did not happen overnight” and he increasingly advocated violence.
“Politics ain’t workin’,” Nordean said in October, 2020. “It’s time to [expletive] rage, not play tea-time with RINOs,” a derogatory acronym for “Republican in Name Only.”
In a November podcast called Warboys, Nordean referenced “the day of the rope” for “traitors” who were urging acceptance of the 2020 election results.
After his sentencing, Nordean said he considered January 6 a “complete and utter tragedy,” the Associated Press reported.
“To anyone who I directly or even indirectly wronged, I’m sorry,” he told the court.
Donald Trump gave the Proud Boys his nod of approval during a debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign. When asked to condemn white supremacist organizations, Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by.”
