Proud Boys member is first to plead guilty to seditious conspiracy
Hannah Rabinowitz Holmes Lybrand
By Hannah Rabinowitz and Holmes Lybrand, CNN
Updated 5:43 PM EDT, Thu October 6, 2022

Jeremy Bertino, a top lieutenant to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio,
pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy in federal court on Thursday, and
is cooperating with the Justice Department’s investigation into the
far-right extremist group.

Bertino, 43, also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by
a prohibited person. He is the first member of the Proud Boys to plead
guilty to seditious conspiracy – a major boost to the historic
prosecution of the organization.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: A large group of pro-Trump protesters stand
on the East steps of the Capitol Building after storming its grounds on
January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters
gathered in the nation's capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President
Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Oath Keepers leader was in touch with US Secret Service in late 2020,
former Oath Keeper testifies.

He could spend more than five years in prison, according to his plea
agreement, which was read aloud in court, though prosecutors could ask a
judge for a lesser sentence depending on his level of cooperation with
the investigation.

The judge did not set a sentencing date. Bertino’s next hearing is
scheduled for February 2023. Bertino will not be held in jail. He will
not be able to have a passport or firearms, and will not be able to
return to Washington unless it is to meet with prosecutors or
participate in court proceedings.

Bertino was listed in previous indictments as “PERSON-1,” but has not publicly faced charges. He is not alleged to have been in Washington,
DC, on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors have previously outlined his
involvement in Proud Boys leadership and extensive planning meetings and
chats.

Even though he was not present for the Capitol riot, Bertino could
provide crucial testimony for prosecutors in the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial, which is set to begin in December of this year.

According to the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy indictment, Bertino was
in a number of encrypted group chats meant to plan for January 6. The
groups, including the main “Boots on Ground” channel, included all of
the Proud Boys sedition defendants – Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph
Biggs, and Zachary Rehl. They have pleaded not guilty.
[snip]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/06/politics/proud-boys-bertino-seditious-conspiracy-guilty-plea/index.html

There's a straight line from the Proud Boys, to Roger Stone and
from Roger, to #45.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Stone

Roger has been involved in Republican dirty tricks since Tricky
Dick. Even though he failed this time the would be insurrection was
probably his biggest accomplishment--so far.

TB

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