The leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right-wing group, has a yearslong history of being an informant for various law enforcement bodies, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Enrique Tarrio, who helms the organization, apparently “cooperated with local and federal law enforcement, to aid in the prosecution of those running other, separate criminal enterprises, ranging from running marijuana grow houses in Miami to operating pharmaceutical fraud schemes” after he was arrested in 2012, Vanessa Singh Johannes, who prosecuted his case, told the outlet.
Tarrio was identified as a “prolific” cooperator who provided information that netted at least 13 arrests related to steroid distribution, narcotics, and human smuggling after he was booked nine years ago for allegedly relabeling stolen diabetes medication, a former lawyer said.
The right-wing figure was arrested in early January, two days prior to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that resulted in five deaths, and charged after burning a Black Lives Matter flag and possessing two “high-capacity” magazines stemming from a Washington, D.C., protest that turned violent. Tarrio denied his role as a police informant and said he “doesn’t know any of this” and that he doesn’t “recall” despite statements from authorities involved.
A 2014 court filing indicated that Tarrio, “at his own risk, in an undercover role met and negotiated to pay $11,000 to members of that ring to bring in fictitious family members of his from another country.” An FBI agent who worked the case referred to the 36-year-old as a “key component” in taking down suspects involved with the distribution of cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, and ecstasy.
The right-wing leader’s cooperation reportedly earned him a reduced sentence in the diabetes fraud case, but Tarrio denies playing a role in investigating others. Instead, he said that he only helped “clear up” queries about his own charges.
The Proud Boys have become a well-known fringe group that often spars with the organization’s violent left-wing counterpart, known as antifa. One such confrontation in Washington, D.C., resulted in three dozen arrests and saw four people stabbed throughout the night in mid-December.
At least five members of the Proud Boys were also arrested during the pro-Trump Capitol siege, including Joseph Biggs, a leader and organizer for the group. Biggs faces charges of obstructing government proceedings, knowingly entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct after he allegedly breached the rotunda.
