Enrique Tarrio‘s top deputy, Jeremy Bertino, entered a guilty plea to seditious conspiracy on Thursday in federal court and is now helping the Justice Department investigate the far-right extremist group.

Bertino, 43, admitted to having a firearm on his person while being a prohibited person. He is the first Proud Boys member to admit guilt to seditious conspiracy, which is a significant victory for the long-running case against the group.

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According to his plea deal, which was read aloud in court, he may serve more than five years in prison, though prosecutors could seek a judge for a less term based on how cooperative he was with the investigation.

A date for the sentence was not established by the judge. The following hearing for Bertino is set for February 2023. Bertino won’t be imprisoned. He won’t be allowed to possess a passport or carry a gun, and he won’t be allowed to visit Washington except to meet with the prosecution or take part in court proceedings.

Bertino was designated as “PERSON-1” in earlier indictments but hasn’t been charged in court. On January 6, 2021, he is not alleged to have been in Washington, DC. His participation in Proud Boys leadership and intensive planning meetings and discussions has previously been described by the prosecution.

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Bertino could be a key witness for the prosecution in the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial, which is scheduled to start in December of this year, despite the fact that he was not there for the Capitol violence.

Bertino participated in a number of encrypted group chats intended to coordinate plans for January 6, according to the Proud Boys’ seditious conspiracy charge. The Proud Boys sedition defendants Tarrio, Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Zachary Rehl were all present in the groups, which included the primary “Boots on Ground” channel. They have entered a not-guilty plea.

Prosecutors claim that Bertino posted directions for January 6 in the chats, telling Proud Boys where to meet and instructing them not to wear the typical Proud Boys colours, even though he ultimately chose not to go to Washington because he was recovering from a stabbing wound sustained at a prior DC rally.

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On January 6, after one o’clock, Bertino sent remarks in a Proud Boys chat encouraging people to “Push inside! Find some eggs and rotten tomatoes!” the indictment states, and asking if “they deploy the mace yet.”

Bertino publicly addressed rioters with the message, “DO NOT GO HOME. WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF SAVING THE CONSTITUTION.”

On the evening of January 6, Bertino sent Tarrio a text message that read: “Brother,” the indictment states, “You know we made this happen” and “I’m so proud of my country today,” Tarrio allegedly said, “I know.”

Prosecutors claim Bertino later told Tarrio, “1776 motherf*****s,” and then added, “Dude. Did we just influence history?”

“They HAVE to certify today!” Bertino is said to have texted. “Or it’s invalid.”

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Investigators carried out a search warrant at Bertino’s home on the day Tarrio was detained in March 2021, according to court records. According to the prosecution, agents seized six firearms, along with an AR-15 rifle with a scope, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Bertino was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been found guilty of a felony.

On January 6, Bertino gave testimony to the House select committee looking into the matter, and a portion of that testimony was aired during a public hearing in June.

The committee demonstrated how individuals from the Proud Boys and other extremist groups were energised by former president Donald Trump’s request for the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during a 2020 presidential debate when he was asked if he was willing to condemn White supremacist and militia groups using a clip from Bertino’s deposition.

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Bertino responded, “Exponentially,” when asked if the Proud Boys’ membership rose as a result of Trump’s “stand back and stand by” remark. “Exponentially. I’d say tripled probably. With a potential for a lot more probably.”

According to his plea deal, he might possibly be qualified for witness protection.