Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was ordered released on his own recognizance by a Washington, D.C. Superior Court judge Tuesday after he was arrested Monday on a charge of burning a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a Black D.C. church last month. Tarrio was also charged with possessing two high capacity magazines. He pled not guilty to both charges. As a condition of his release, Tarrio was banned from D.C. until his June 8 court date after the judge cited his comments on social media that he wanted to burn more BLM banners. The judge said Tarrio could be arrested on sight if found in the city.
The burning of the BLM banner took place after a day of Pro-Trump rallies in D.C. on December 12. Tarrio and the Proud Boys were returning to D.C. this week for another round of pro-Trump rallies.
Enrique Tarrio, file image.
A photo of the magazines, which were empty, was released by prosecutors.
The Washington Post’s Peter Hermann on Twitter, “Pics from court document in arrest of Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio of extended gun magazine that police say can each hold 30 .223 caliber, AR-15 compatible ammo. Tarrio told police had planned to sell them.”
Pics from court document in arrest of Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio of extended gun magazine that police say can each hold 30 .223 caliber, AR-15 compatible ammo. Tarrio told police had planned to sell them. pic.twitter.com/0CXk21ZiLs
— Peter Hermann (@phscoop) January 5, 2021
“D.C. judge releases Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio but orders him to stay away from entirety of the District. If could be arrested on sight if he shows up for demonstrations in D.C. Details to come.”
D.C. judge releases Proud Boys Enrique Tarrio but orders him to stay away from entirety of the District. If could be arrested on sight if he shows up for demonstrations in D.C. Details to come.
— Peter Hermann (@phscoop) January 5, 2021
WTOP-FM reporter Neal Augenstein reported via Twitter, “NEW: Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio is released on his own recognizance, after pleading NOT-guilty to burning a #BLM flag and possessing two high-capacity gun magazines. He’s been ordered to stay out of DC until his next court appearance in June…Appearing before Superior Court judge, by video from lockup, Tarrio’s defense attorney Lucas Dansie asked that the stay-away order be restricted to Black Lives Matter Plaza. However, Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond cited Tarrio’s statements that he’d burn other BLM signs…..in addition to the one he’s charged with burning, from Asbury United Methodist Church, on Dec. 12: “Frankly, there are a lot of Black Lives Matter signs in front of people’s homes. I’m denying your request.” Tarrio’s next court date (and next date allowed in DC) is June 8.”
NEW: Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio is released on his own recognizance, after pleading NOT-guilty to burning a #BLM flag and possessing two high-capacity gun magazines. He’s been ordered to stay out of DC until his next court appearance in June.
— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) January 5, 2021
…in addition to the one he’s charged with burning, from Asbury United Methodist Church, on Dec. 12: “Frankly, there are a lot of Black Lives Matter signs in front of people’s homes. I’m denying your request.” Tarrio’s next court date (and next date allowed in DC) is June 8.
— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) January 5, 2021
The Post’s Keith Alexander on the magazines, “Police say they found 2 empty AR-15 magazines on #EnriqueTarrio that can each hold 30 rounds of ammo. The mags both had “Proud Boys” emblems on them. Tarrio said he sells the mags on his website and offered to show receipts of such sales. Waiting for Tarrio’s case to be called.”
Police say they found 2 empty AR-15 magazines on #EnriqueTarrio that can each hold 30 rounds of ammo. The mags both had “Proud Boys” emblems on them. Tarrio said he sells the mags on his website and offered to show receipts of such sales. Waiting for Tarrio’s case to be called. https://t.co/NpuYU78tLp
— Keith L. Alexander (@keithlalexander) January 5, 2021
Reporters posted photos of supporters of Tarrio near the courthouse:
Trump supporters waiting for Proud Boy Henry Tarrio to be released from lock up. A DC Judge ordered him out of DC as a condition of release, until he returns in June for hearings on burning Black Lives Matter signs, destruction of property and having illegal gun clips pic.twitter.com/Rf4KBSPNgu
— Sam Ford (@ABC7Sam) January 5, 2021
Supporters of #EnriqueTarrio wait for him after a judge ordered him released from custody on 2 charges of possession of ammo AR-15 magazines and destruction of property of #BlackLivesMatter banner. Ordered to stay out of D. C. until June hearing. https://t.co/5Bm83lkin3 pic.twitter.com/OgQR2MrrmB
— Keith L. Alexander (@keithlalexander) January 5, 2021
TGP’s Cassandra Fairbanks reported Tarrio should be released soon.
Enrique Tarrio will be released soon I’ve been told
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) January 5, 2021
So burning a BLM banner is unlawful, (show me the law), but it is okay to burn the American Flag. Also, the fact that these magazines were unloaded and NOT with or near an actual firearm nor did they appear to have ever been loaded should not be illegal as they are mementoes, and can be proven as such, for an organization, even if I do not agree with their ideals.
Where do I make my donation to the Proud Boys? Time to fight back, time to take on the Marxist maneuverings going on in this country. Time to fight for our Constitutional Rights. Unlike Jim above I do agree with many of their ideals.
I find it curious that defacing a BLM banner as protest yet no charges are brought forth if someone burns defaces, even burns the American flag.