A former Marine, Tyler Bradley Dykes, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Dykes, 26, was arrested in July on federal charges, including misdemeanors, and has agreed to have the other counts in his indictment dismissed during sentencing as part of his plea agreement. His sentencing is scheduled for July 19th.
Court documents reveal that Dykes subscribed to public Telegram groups related to the 2020 presidential election, voter fraud allegations, and events surrounding President Joe Biden’s victory certification prior to the Jan. 6 riot. Prosecutors allege that Dykes was part of a group that advocated for violence and the overthrow of the government by force, citing a message that referenced a quote attributed to Adolf Hitler. Dykes previously served a prison sentence for a felony conviction related to his participation in the 2017 torch-lit march in Charlottesville before the “United the Right” rally.
During the Capitol riot, Dykes wore a gray puffer jacket and a neck gaiter to conceal his face, according to court documents. Prosecutors claim that he was part of a group of rioters who attempted to force their way into the Capitol through the East Rotunda doors. Dykes is also accused of forcibly taking a U.S. Capitol Police officer’s riot shield and using it to gain entry to the Capitol and hinder the police line defending the building once inside. Dykes’s guilty plea and involvement in the Capitol riot highlight the continued repercussions faced by individuals who participated in the events of Jan. 6.
Since the 2021 Capitol riot, over 859 defendants have been sentenced, with more than 520 individuals receiving periods of incarceration ranging from a few days to up to 22 years in federal prison. The large number of prosecutions and convictions stemming from the Jan. 6 attack underscore the severity of the incident and the ongoing legal consequences faced by those who participated. Dykes’s involvement in the riot demonstrates how individuals from various backgrounds and affiliations were involved in storming the Capitol and engaging in acts of violence against law enforcement officers.
Dykes’s guilty plea and connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol attack shed light on the varied backgrounds of those involved in the events of that day, including former military personnel like Dykes himself. The presence of individuals with military experience and training among the rioters is a concerning aspect of the Capitol attack, as it raises questions about how extremist ideologies can infiltrate and influence certain sectors of society. The sentencing of Dykes on July 19 will provide additional insight into the legal consequences facing those who participated in the Capitol riot and the broader impact of the events of Jan. 6 on the justice system.
