Winter storm warnings continue in northern Minnesota 

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The leader of the right-wing group Proud Boys was released from police custody on Tuesday and ordered by a judge to leave Washington, D.C. — and stay away.

Henry "Enrique" Tarrio, 36, was arrested Monday shortly after his arrival in the District, where Trump supporters are gathering to rally during Congress' official certification of the Electoral College ballots on Wednesday.

Tarrio was charged with destruction of property and possession of high-capacity firearm magazines.

 for tearing down and burning a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church last month.

Tarrio appeared in court on Tuesday. A judge ordered him to leave the District and banned him from returning except for very limited conditions, including meeting with his attorney or attending a court date, The Associated Press reports. His next hearing is scheduled for June, 

, police say the two magazines that Tarrio carried were not loaded and were emblazoned with Proud Boys insignia. Tarrio told police he was carrying the magazines to deliver them to a customer who had purchased them from his online store. He also said he did not want to talk about the December incidents without a lawyer present.

The Proud Boys have been labeled as an extremist 

 by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Washington, D.C., police have said it will be up to the U.S. attorney's office to decide whether to prosecute the banner burning as a hate crime, 

 last month that he would plead guilty to destruction of property but not to a hate crime.

One of the Black churches that was targeted last month, Metropolitan AME Church, 

President Donald Trump is expected to address the rally on Wednesday. 

Crime, Law and Justice

Politics and Government News

Laurel Wamsley

Author

Enrique Tarrio was arrested on Monday shortly after arriving in D.C., where Trump supporters are gathering to protest the official certification of the Electoral College ballots on Wednesday.

Proud Boys leader released from police custody and ordered to leave D.C.

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox