Proud Boys Member Alan Swinney Gets 10 Years in Prison for Violent Actions at Protests

Alan Swinney, a member of the far-right extremist group The Proud Boys, convicted on 11 charges stemming from the August 2020 protests in Portland, Oregon following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday.

In October, Swinney was convicted on 11 of 12 charges including pointing a firearm at others, attempted assault, second-degree unlawful use of mace and more, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

The 51-year-old participated in several of the protests and counterprotests in what became one of the hotspots for demonstrations around the country. Key in his conviction was Aug. 22, 2020, when he was one of several right-wing activists who shot at protestors with paintball guns and sprayed them with mace.

While several men in the crowd were carrying firearms, Swinney at one point pulled a revolver out of its holster and pointed it at several people during the protest.

"The evidence that was presented at this trial...all continue to demonstrate a person who does not have remorse for what happened," Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Heidi Moawad said before sentencing Swinney, according to OPB. "The videos showing the incidents do not portray a person who is scared for himself or for those around him, but for a person who really, pretty calmly and dispassionately used or threatened force, often with dangerous or deadly weapons."

Another important piece of evidence for the prosecution was a handwritten letter Swinney wrote and allegedly tried to send to Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer convicted for killing Floyd.

The letter included messages of support and sympathy, saying Chauvin should keep his head up because he could get out of prison on appeals or through what Swinney said was the civil war that "this country is headed toward."

"As evidenced by the defendant's escalating violence, letters, social media statements and testimony, the defendant has no remorse for his actions, no desire to change and every intention of engaging in future acts of violence," Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez wrote in a sentencing memo.

The letter to Chauvin outlined Swinney's thoughts.

"Another thing that may end up working in your favor is that this country is headed toward civil war," Swinney wrote to Chauvin. "I see it ramping up. Civil war will get you out of jail. It'll get me out too."

He earlier admitted, as part of a civil settlement, to assaulting a woman during an August 2020 protest in Portland.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.