On January 6, 2021, Ethan Nordean, the self-proclaimed leader of the far-right Proud Boys group, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol building. Nordean pleaded guilty in July to conspiring to impede Congress’s certification of then-President-elect Joe Biden’s win. According to prosecutors, Nordean played a key role in organizing and leading the Proud Boys during the attack. He also admitted to using threatening and intimidating language as he marched up the Capitol steps with a crowd of Trump supporters, and to leading chants of “Fuck Antifa!” “Nordean’s sentencing today affirms that those who committed or encouraged violence on January 6, 2021, will be pursued, investigated, and held accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin in a statement. “Nordean has now become the first individual affiliated with the Proud Boys to plead guilty and bear responsibility for his actions that day, and we hope that others connected to the group will take note.” Nordean was one of hundreds of people arrested following the January 6 insurrection attempt. His sentence could set an example for those also linked to the attack. The Justice Department is continuing to investigate anyone who was involved in the attack, and is pressing for maximum sentences in many of the cases. Nordean’s sentence was relatively lenient because he was described as cooperatively providing information to the FBI about the activities of the Proud Boys organization. He also had “expressed regret for his role in the attack” according to the prosecutors. The attack on the Capitol left several people dead and injured. It also served as a wake-up call to people across the country who were shocked by the display of violence and mob mentality. Nordean’s sentencing sends a strong message that the Justice Department will not tolerate anyone who commits or encourages violence.