Taylor Taranto, an Iraq War Navy vet, was one of the people who participated in the attack on January 6 on the U.S. Capitol. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols imposed a sentence of 21 months’ imprisonment. Taranto, who had been pardoned by then-President Donald Trump for his state charges stemming from the Capitol insurrection, has now found himself in even deeper legal waters. These problems are due to his previous actions and associated crimes.
The 38-year-old Taranto was arrested at the close of business on June 29, 2023, near an address associated with former President Barack Obama. When arrested, Darby was facing four misdemeanor charges related to the January 6 attack on the capital. His participation extended to live streaming his march on the way to Obama’s house, where he looked for supposed “tunnels” to tunnel through. This shooting came after Trump’s social media post revealing the judge’s address, an address that Taranto took Trump’s disclosing of as a call to action.
Prior to his disastrous meltdown in court, in addition to his current Capitol riot-related charges, Taranto had been convicted on unrelated charges. The offenses on his record included the illegal concealed carry of two firearms, illegal possession of ammunition, and disseminating false information and hoaxes. Alarmingly, at the time of his arrest, police found 500+ rounds of ammunition in his van.
At the end of the sentencing hearing, Judge Nichols congratulated the prosecutors, saying their hard work on the case was evident. He said they really showed “outstanding, outstanding work” and the “pinnacle of professionalism.”
“Gotta get the shot, stop at nothing to get the shot.” – Taylor Taranto
Taranto’s defense team made the case that he is a “journalist” and a “comedian.” They wanted to portray his actions as more benign. His actions on and after January 6 raised the alarm bells. Law enforcement and legal authorities stood up and made changes.
Taranto has an extensive history of previous convictions. He even shot a hoax video in which he misled the public into believing that a car bomb was en route to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This episode only added to his already tenuous legal position and helped fuel the public’s fear over his actions.
Prior to his sentencing, Taranto had spent 22 months in pre-trial custody, which counted towards his ultimate sentence. Thus, he was not entitled to good time credit beyond the 21-month sentence that Judge Nichols gave him.
Judging Nichols stressed the public safety ramifications of Taranto’s behavior at the hearing. Prosecutors Samuel White and Carlos Valdivia described in striking detail how Taranto fueled the January 6 insurrection. They portrayed him as a member of “a mob of rioters,” stressing the peril created by people like him who lawlessly act on political aspirations.
