Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 27
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Charges
- Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting; Theft of Government Property and Aiding and Abetting; Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building; Parading, Demonstrating or Picketing in a Capitol Building
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Robert Lyon and Dustin Thompson, who is also facing charges related to the Capitol riot, drove to D.C. together for the pro-Trump rally, according to court documents. At around 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021, two U.S. Capitol Police officers came across Lyon and Thompson sitting on a sidewalk near the Capitol and waiting for an Uber, according to court documents. They were asked to leave the area, and as they were leaving, Thompson grabbed a coat rack that was later confirmed to be from inside the Capitol, according to court records. The officers asked Thompson to put it down, which he did. But Thompson then allegedly fled. Lyon stayed behind and cooperated. On Jan. 11, 2021, Lyon was interviewed by FBI agents at his home in Columbus, Ohio. He was confronted by FBI agents with a text message he allegedly sent to Thompson saying, "We need to get the f*** out with this trophy." Lyon insisted he had not been inside the Capitol, though security footage from inside the Capitol and detailed in the court documents appears to show otherwise.
Case History
Lyon pleaded Guilty to two charges: Theft of Government Property and Aiding and Abetting; and Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 9/22/2022 to 40 days Incarceration; Supervised release of 1 year; special assessment of $50; Restitution of $2000; Fine of $1000. Lyon received a full pardon on January 20, 2025
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.