Texas Man Sentenced for Assault on Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Defendant Violently Attacked Officer

            WASHINGTON — A Texas man was sentenced today in the District of Columbia on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. His 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 presidential election.

            Robert Wayne Dennis, 63, of Garland, TX, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for civil disorder, two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, and the misdemeanor charges of of engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. Dennis was found guilty on January 13, 2023, following a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge James E. Boasberg. In addition to the prison term, Dennis was ordered to pay $2,000 restitution and serve 24 months of supervised release.

            According to evidence presented at trial, Dennis was captured on video on January 6 on the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol during the ongoing riot.  Metropolitan Police Department officers had formed a police line on top of a set of stairs to act as a barrier against the crowd and prevent further breaches of the Capitol Building. At approximately 2:51 p.m., Dennis deliberately ascended the stairs and assaulted this line of officers. One officer, identified in court documents as “Officer C.W.,” attempted to use a baton to push him away. Dennis then attacked the officers again, engaging in a violent struggle with “Officer J.S.” in which Dennis threw punches at Officer J.S. while Officer J.S. was on the ground.  Dennis was convicted of assaulting both Officer C.W. and Officer J.S. 

            Dennis was arrested on October 20, 2021, in Texas.

           This case was 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 Northern District of Texas U.S.

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, as well as the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police.           

            In the 27 months since Jan. 6, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

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