Henry 'Enrique' Tarrio, one of the main organizers of the alt-right organization known as the Proud Boys, has pleaded guilty to destroying a Black Lives Matter banner owned by a local church.
The Department of Justice announced that Tarrio pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of destruction of property and a local weapons charge.
On December 20th, 2020, Tarrio had been on the streets of Washington DC with fellow Proud Boys when they approached Asbury United Methodist Church. The DoJ reports that unidentified members stole a banner with #BLACKLIVESMATTER on the front, as well as the church's logo. The group would then go down several streets before burning the banner. Tarrio would later post the footage to his Parler account, visibly playing a part in the destruction of the said banner.
Tarrio would publicly admit to destroying the banner on social media before being arrested for the charge on January 4th, 2021. Upon his arrest, detectives found two high-capacity firearm magazines in his bag, each with the insignia of the Proud Boys attached to it. The magazines were supposed to be for a customer who was "Also going to be present in the District of Columbia," claims Tarrio.
Both of Tarrio's offenses carry a maximum sentence of 180 days in prison or a $1000 fine.
Tarrio's hearing is currently scheduled for August 23rd. The courts have ordered Tarrio to stay out of Washington DC from now until the hearing date.
