Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune charged in connection with Jan. 6 riot at US Capitol
A Camp Lejeune-based Marine has been charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to FBI documents.
Sgt. Dodge Dale Hellonen was arrested on Wednesday at Camp Lejeune, where he was stationed. Hellonen was charged with unlawful entry into the Capitol.
Two other Marines were charged as well -- Cpl. Micah Coomer and Sgt. Joshua Abate, stationed in Virginia.
Evidence gathered by the FBI revealed "Cpl. Micah Coomer, Sgt. Joshua Abate and Hellonen unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. Coomer wore a red baseball cap, a black Under Armor sweatshirt with neon outline, and a green puff jacket. Abate wore a baseball cap with a rectangular design on the front, with a plaid jacket and jeans. Hellonen wore a dark colored jacket, dark colored pants, and carried a yellow 'Don’t Tread on Me flag.'"
According to a complaint, the FBI learned that Coomer posted several photographs on his Instagram page of himself, Abate and Hellonen at the Capitol. Surveillance footage confirmed that the three unlawfully entered the Capitol building.
In a June 1, 2022, interview, Abate said he entered the Capitol with two “buddies," saying they “walked around and tried not to get hit with tear gas." The document states, "Abate also admitted he heard how the event was being portrayed negatively and decided that he should not tell anybody about going into the U.S. Capitol Building."
Investigators discovered that while inside, they placed a red "Make America Great Again" hat on one of the statues to take photos with it and walked around the Rotunda.
A warrant listed Hellonen's offenses as "knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building."
A Marine Corps spokesperson released a statement on the matter.
"We are aware of an investigation and the allegations. The Marine Corps is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities in support of the investigation."
