A man with ties to the Tri-State is facing federal charges related to the violent protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 that left several dead, including a Capitol police officer.
Dalton Ray Crase, 21, is currently facing several federal charges, including aiding and abetting and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Deekon Duvall says he is Crase’s brother and found that Crase’s arrest came as a complete surprise.
“It was a huge shock,” Duvall said. “He’s never done anything to harm somebody. He’s a pretty nice, humble dude.”
Court records show Crase admitted to FBI agents that he went into the Capitol building on Jan. 6 with a man named Troy Dylan Williams, 25. Crase said he and Williams took photos inside of the building but did not partake in any violence or vandalism.
“At first, he was a very far distance away. He wasn’t interacting, and then he went up into the steps, and then that’s where [he took] that picture that they have posted everywhere of him with the peace sign, smiling, with the officers behind,” Duvall said.
According to Duvall, Crase grew up in Walton. Officials confirmed that Crase attended Walton-Verona High School and graduated from there in 2018.
Duvall says his brother does not have a criminal history and has never been violent. He thinks Crase was at the Capitol to express himself and got caught up in the moment.
“Right after, he texted me, and he was like, ‘Dude I don’t know what I just did. This is not good. Don’t like, keep it on the low. I feel like I’m going to get in big, big trouble for this,’” Duvall said.
Court documents state Crase told the FBI he realizes he broke the law but said it did not register with him at the time.
Duvall thinks the charges against his brother should be reduced or even dropped, but prosecutors believe the evidence says otherwise.
“It was just somebody who was supporting their views and made a mistake,” Duvall said. “He has no, nothing on his record. He’s perfectly clean, so they have no reason to severely punish him.”
Crase is expected back in court Friday at 1 p.m. It is not clear what his sentence could be if he is convicted.
Troy Williams, who investigators said was with Crase at the Capitol, is also facing federal charges.
Crase’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment.
Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report
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