Federal Way man arrested in connection with U.S. Capitol riot

A Federal Way man was arrested Aug. 4 for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

An FBI Special Agent signed an affidavit July 27 in support of an application for an arrest warrant for Tyler Slaeker, 39.

Slaeker allegedly arrived in Washington, D.C., around Jan. 4 and participated in rioting at the Capitol, entering the building “with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business,” according to the affidavit.

Two witnesses related to Slaeker through marriage submitted tips to law enforcement based on images posted on Slaeker’s family members’ Facebook pages.

Law enforcement also analyzed United States Capitol Police closed-circuit television (CCTV) images. Witnesses identified Slaeker in the Capitol building entering the Rotunda. CCTV images also corresponded to images on Facebook that Slaeker allegedly took on his own phone.

The affidavit also states that there is probable cause to believe that Slaeker violated a U.S. code making it a crime to “utter loud, threatening, or abusive language, or engage in disorderly or disruptive conduct, at any place in the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings with the intent to impede, disrupt, or disturb the orderly conduct of a session of Congress or either House of Congress.”

On Jan. 6, during a joint session of the U.S. Congress that convened to certify the vote count of the Electoral College for the 2020 presidential election, a large crowd gathered outside the Capitol building. Many members of the crowd had come from a speech by Donald Trump and carried flags in support of the former president.

With proceedings still underway, the crowd overwhelmed Capitol police and barriers. Individuals were able to force entry into the U.S. Capitol building, breaking windows and assaulting police officers in the process while others encouraged the acts.

The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate evacuated the chambers and the joint session was suspended for several hours. Former Vice President Mike Pence was also present and was evacuated with the other officials.

Photo and video evidence taken by those present appeared to show numerous violations of local and federal laws.

Read the U.S. District Court arrest warrant below:

U.S. District Court – Tyler Slaeker by Andy Hobbs on Scribd