Dustin Martin

Case Summary

Dustin Martin came to the attention of law enforcement after several of his Facebook friends reached out to the FBI saying he was inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to court documents. Footage appears to show Martin, wearing a black sweatshirt with the words “We call it the Chinese virus because it comes from China,” walk toward the building after attending former President Donald Trump's rally at the ellipsis. One of the tipsters to the FBI shared this post by Martin: “So now I can say I’ve been hit with rubber bullets, bear mace, pepper spray, teargas, and wrestle with Capital Police f*** yeah ‘America B****es’ I’ll do it all over again too!” In July that same year, officers interviewed Martin at his home, where he told them he made up the post that he fought with Capitol Police to ingratiate himself with some of his Facebook friends. He also told the FBI that after he was maced, he retreated. After an investigation of his Facebook account, officials discovered posts that they believe provided evidence of his trip to Washington, DC and his political views on the matter. CCTV footage appears to show Martin at one point placing his hands over a metal barricade in an attempt to aid the push against the police line, as well as entering the building and spending a considerable amount of time inside.

Case History

Martin pleaded Guilty to two charges: Civil Disorder and Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds. Oral Motion by the government to dismiss Counts 1,3,5, and 6, heard and granted. Sentencing set for 2/7/2025. On 1/27/2025, the court grants the government’s motion to dismiss the case with prejudice

Sources

• Primary Documentation
  NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR
• Primary Documentation
  Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR

Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.