Michigan Man Charged Felony and Misdemeanor Offenses for Conduct During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Press Release

WASHINGTON - A Michigan man has been charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Dylan James Smyth, 42, of Blanchard, Michigan, 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.

Smyth will make his initial appearance in the Western District of Michigan.

According to court documents, 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.

Court documents say that 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.

This 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan.

This case is being investigated by the FBI's Detroit and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

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 with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Updated November 21, 2024