Garland’s man latest to be arrested in riot on Capitol Hill after federal government says he fought with officers

A Garland commercial artist is the latest local resident to be arrested in connection with the Capitol Riot in January, after authorities said he threw punches and attacked one officers trying to defend the building.

Robert Wayne Dennis, 61, graphic designer and comic artist, was caught on camera by police fighting with officers trying to control the violent crowd near the stairs to Upper West Terrace, court records show federal.

He is due to have his first court appearance on Friday.

A lawyer has not yet been registered for him. Dennis did not immediately return a left message to his company phone number.

He is one of some 20 North Texans who were charged in connection with the violent siege of the Capitol mob on January 6 that left five dead and injured dozens of police officers. Across the country, more than 600 people have been charged with their role in the assault, which prosecutors say will eventually become the largest federal criminal case in U.S. history.

An FBI agent provided the following account in court documents related to Dennis’ arrest:

Dennis approached a line of Metropolitan Police officers struggling to keep the crowds away from the Capitol. He pointed at them and “seemed to place his hand” on one of the officers. When an officer pushed him back with a baton, Dennis grabbed the baton.

Another officer pushed him back as well, then Dennis took this officer to the ground “after a violent struggle”.

Dennis was seen punching the officer during the scuffle. Dennis then gave his ID to the police and was told that a warrant would be issued in the future against his arrest.

He was charged in a criminal complaint with the following:

– Assault, resist or hinder certain agents

– Civil unrest

– Enter and stay in a building or a restricted area

– Disorderly and disruptive driving in a building or on a restricted site

– Engage in physical violence in a building or in a small area

– Act of physical violence in the grounds or buildings of the Capitol.

Dennis’ Facebook profile states that he is a senior restoration artist at the Comic Art Restoration Service, which “provides restoration and reproduction of original comic book artwork.”

He studied visual communication at Truman State University and art at Crowder College, according to the Facebook account. A website linked to his Facebook account says that Dennis produces advertising graphics and designs such as logos and signage, as well as original artwork and photographs.

“My background in the graphic arts, as well as my knowledge of the comic book field, allows me to take a less than desirable original work of art and transform it… into a product that displays all the merits to which the work was. originally intended. to present, ”the website says.