A father and son duo from Charlotte, Tennessee, have been handed prison sentences for their aggressive actions during the January 6 Capitol breach, where they were convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers among other offenses; Mark Waynick, 53, received a 54-month sentence, while his son, Jerry McKane Waynick, 21, was sentenced to 30 months, as per an announcement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
Their convictions came after a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly, where they faced charges for their involvement in the events on January 6, evidence presented during the trial revealed that they arrived at the Capitol geared up in helmets and tactical vests and they joined a mob that was attempting to break through police barriers; Mark assaulted an officer with an American flag, and Jerry hurled a heavy plastic construction marker at police.
After they attempted to breach the police lines, the two men made their way into the Capitol shortly after the initial entry by the mob, navigating the halls for approximately 35 minutes and making it a few feet from the House Chamber before exiting the building, both are now accountable for their actions, facing jail time and each ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution after their aggressive participation in the riot.
The FBI, along with the Metropolitan Police and U.S. Capitol Police, played key roles in bringing the Waynicks to justice. Their investigation is part of a larger effort that has led to over 1,561 charges nationwide related to the Capitol breach, including more than 590 for assaulting or obstructing law enforcement. The investigation continues, and authorities are accepting tips at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
