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A commercial artist from Garland is the latest local resident to be arrested in connection with the Capitol riot in January, after authorities say he threw punches at and tackled one of the officers trying to defend the building.
Robert Wayne Dennis, 61, a graphic and comic book artist, was caught on police body cameras fighting with police officers trying to control the violent mob near the stairs to the Upper West Terrace, according to federal court records.
He is scheduled to have his first court appearance on Friday.
An attorney has not yet been listed for him. Dennis did not immediately return a message left at his company’s phone number.
He is one of about 20 North Texans who have been charged in connection with the violent mob siege of the Capitol on Jan. 6 that resulted in five deaths and left injured dozens of police officers. Nationwide, more than 600 people have been charged for their part in the assault, which prosecutors have said will end up becoming 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 who were struggling to keep the mob away from the Capitol. He pointed at them and “appeared to place his hand” one of the officers. When an officer pushed him away with a baton, Dennis grabbed the baton.
Another officer also pushed him away, and then Dennis took that officer to the ground “after a violent struggle.”
Dennis was seen throwing punches at the officer during the scuffle. Dennis later gave his identification to police and was told a warrant would be issued in the future for his arrest.
He was charged in a criminal complaint with the following:
— Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers
— Civil disorder
— Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
— Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
— Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds
— Act of physical violence in the capitol grounds or buildings.
Dennis’ Facebook profile says he’s a senior restoration artist at Comic Art Restoration Service, which “provides restoration and reproduction for original comic book art.”
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 indicates that Dennis produces advertising graphics and designs such as logos and signage as well as original art and photography.
“My background in the graphic arts, as well as my knowledge of the comic book field, enables me to take a less than desirable piece of original art and transform it … into a product that displays all of the merits that the work was originally intended to present,” the website says.