Michigan man charged with felonies for his role in Jan. 6 Capitol riots

BLANCHARD, Mich. -- A 42-year-old Michigan man has officially been charged for his action on Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C. at the 2021 Capitol riots. 

According to the United States Justice Department, Dylan James Smyth, of Blanchard, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with the felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder, as well as destruction of federal property, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

From the U.S. Justice Department:

"On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, publicly available footage captured an individual, later identified as Smyth, in Washington, D.C., near the Washington Monument and later near the Peace Memorial within a large crowd.

There, Smyth and others began dismantling a fence barricade by pulling on its sections until gaps appeared. Smyth allegedly leaned forward, gripped a section of the fence, and repeatedly used his body weight to force it off its posts. Despite officers' efforts to direct rioters to stop, sections of the fence, including the one in front of Smyth, were eventually torn down.

The police line in this area eventually retreated, and Smyth remained near the line, impeding officers' ability to clear the restricted area. It is alleged that Smyth's presence and the crowd's continued pressure delayed law enforcement efforts to regain control of the Lower West Plaza."

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section after being investigated by the FBI’s Detroit and Washington Field Offices.

The DOJ reports In the 46 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,561 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone can report tips online or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).