WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A northwestern Indiana man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper sentenced 73-year-old Dale Huttle, of Crown Point, to 2.5 years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $3,639 in restitution.
On Dec. 8, 2023, Dale pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon and causing serious bodily injury.
According to court documents, Dale traveled to Washington, D.C., with his nephew, Matthew Huttle, who allegedly said, "We're going to see if we can get inside."
Court documents say Dale, who was carrying a flagpole with an upside-down American flag attached, said, "I think we ought to bum rush the Capitol building. Arrest them all. We've got enough people to do that."
Around 2 p.m., Dale and Matthew got to the restricted Capitol grounds.
According to court documents, Dale lunged forward at the Metropolitan Police Department officers, jabbing his flagpole into the stomach of one officer. That officer then lost their footing and fell backward on the stairs and Dale continued hitting the officer with the flagpole.
Court documents say the officer suffered a slipped sic in their back due to the assault.
Then, Dale hit another officer with the flagpole, causing that officer to fall down a set of stairs. As other officers tried to pull the officer to their feet, Dale continued hitting the officer with the flagpole.
The rioters, including Dale, then went to the West Plaza, where Dale grabbed and yanked an officer's gas mask and baton.
Court documents say Dale and Matthew stayed on Capitol grounds until after 5 p.m.
After his arrest, Dale spoke with a news station regarding his participation in the Capitol riot and said, "I'm not ashamed of being there. It was our duty as patriots."
Dale then called himself "the ultimate patriot because I put myself on the line to defend the country. And I have, I have no regrets. I will not say I'm sorry."
FBI officers arrested Dale on Nov. 17, 2022, in Indiana.
Matthew was previously sentenced for his role in the Capitol riot.
In the more than three years since the Capitol riot, more than 1,450 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-225-5324 or visit tips.fbi.gov.