Franklin County, Ohio man pleads guilty to felonies and misdemeanors for actions during Jan. 6 Capitol breach

October 10, 2024 – WASHINGTON – An Ohio man pleaded guilty on October 8, 2024 to felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His actions and those of others People disrupted a joint session of the US Congress convened to verify and count electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Dustin Martin (circled in yellow above), 30, of Grove City, Ohio, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds in front U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Judge AliKhan will sentence Martin on February 7, 2025.

According to court documents, on January 6, 2021, Martin and a friend – Cody Lee Tippett (circled in green above) – arrived in Washington, D.C., from Columbus, Ohio, and drove to the Ellipse to attend the former president’s ceremony. speech. After the speech, Martin and Tippett walked from the Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol, arriving on the west side of the Capitol grounds at least around 1:30 p.m. Martin then approached Lower West Terrace, where he observed a crowd of people standing in front of a building. a row of bicycle barricades and police behind them, some in riot gear.

Around 1:36 p.m., several rioters near Martin began pushing against one of the barricades. As officers fought to keep rioters from breaking through the police line, Martin stepped forward and joined in with the rioters, leaning forward, leaning against those in front of him and using his weight to help push the barricade against the police on the other side. side. Court documents say the group, including Martin, pushed the barricade directly at the officers, forcing them back several feet and requiring about a dozen officers to push back the crowd. The fight caused Martin to fall, after which he retreated into the crowd.

Later, around 1:50 p.m., rioters on the Lower West Terrace pushed a line of police officers down a flight of stairs leading to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol. Other rioters, including Martin and Tippett, followed this group of rioters up the stairs. However, another police cordon prevented the crowd from progressing further up the stairs. Around 2:10 p.m., the rioters again broke through the police line on the steps and gained access to the Capitol building for the first time that day. Martin and Tippett followed.

At approximately 2:15 p.m., Martin and Tippett entered the Capitol building through the Senate wing door. Inside, Martin and Tippett walked to the Crypt and Capitol Visitor Center before leaving the building around 2:57 p.m. Martin and Tippett remained on the upper west terrace, the area immediately outside from the building, for almost an hour.

That day, Martin posted photos, videos and written descriptions on Facebook depicting his participation in the Capitol riot. In one post, he included a photo of himself and Tippett inside the Capitol and wrote: “Trump 2021!!! » In another post, he included a photo of himself outside the Capitol and a video of rioters on the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol, writing: “So now I can say I was hit by some rubber bullets, a bear mace, pepper spray, tear gas and fighting with the capital police f- yeah ‘America B- I’ll do it all again too!’

The FBI arrested Martin on June 21, 2023 in Ohio.

Cody Lee Tippet had already been sentenced to 30 days in prison for his role in the events of January 6.^th.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio provided valuable assistance.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington field offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police.

In the 45 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,532 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states with crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 people accused of assaulting or obstructing forces order, a crime. The investigation is still ongoing.

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

Attachment: (Signed) Tippett_SOF.REDACTED.pdf and Dustin Martin

Source and photos: DOJ press release