Marine Sentenced to Nearly Five Years for Capitol Riot Involvement

Tyler Bradley Dykes, a former active-duty U.S. Marine from South Carolina, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Dykes, 26, was convicted of assault charges after forcibly taking a police riot shield and using it to break through police lines during the attack by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Dykes pleaded guilty in April and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell to four years and nine months in prison. Federal prosecutors had recommended a slightly longer sentence of five years and three months, highlighting Dykes' significant contribution to the violent breach on the Capitol’s east front. Dykes' defense attorneys had sought a two-year sentence, arguing that he recognizes the illegality and severity of his actions.

During his sentencing, Dykes expressed continued support for Trump, despite his actions on January 6. "Tyler hates his involvement in the Capitol riot," his lawyers stated. "He takes complete responsibility for his actions. Tyler apologizes for those actions."

Dykes traveled to Washington, D.C., with two friends from Bluffton, South Carolina, to attend Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally. He later separated from his friends and engaged in aggressive actions, including removing barriers and confronting police officers. At one point, Dykes performed what appeared to be a Nazi salute, although he denied this, claiming his gesture was misinterpreted.

This is not Dykes' first criminal conviction. In 2017, he was involved in the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was photographed giving a Nazi salute while carrying a tiki torch. He was convicted in 2023 on charges related to this rally, serving six months in state prison before being transferred to federal custody.

Following his actions at the Capitol, Dykes was discharged from the Marine Corps under "other than honorable" conditions. Prosecutors emphasized that Dykes' conduct on January 6 violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

To date, over 1,400 individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with more than 900 sentenced. These sentences range from a few days to 22 years in prison, reflecting the severity of the offenses committed during the attack.