Charles Alan Dyer

Charles Alan Dyer (born August 17, 1980) is an American convicted child rapist and a former Marine sergeant who operated as an advocate for the Oath Keepers. Dyer was charged in 2010 with child rape and illegal weapons possession. Dyer evaded authorities and a manhunt ensued, followed by capture ten days later. In 2012, Dyer was convicted of raping his seven-year-old daughter. Dyer served in the Marine Corps during the Iraq War.

Oath Keeper involvement Dyer began producing YouTube videos in support of the Oath Keepers under the handle July4Patriot. Dyer at times recorded these videos in Marine Corps dress uniform and always wore a mask emblazoned with a grinning skull. Dyer said he wore the mask to protect his identity. Dyer claimed that military urban warfare drills had the covert purpose of preparing American soldiers to incarcerate citizens. Dyer's videos became viral in the Patriot and Oath Keeper subculture, several accumulating hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of comments.

Dyer revealed his identity at an April 29, 2010, Tea Party event in Lexington, Massachusetts. He was among the most prominent Oath Keepers members at the time.

Criminal charges

Initial charges On January 21, 2010, Dyer was arrested by Stephens County sheriff deputies in his home in Marlow, Oklahoma. He was charged with rape and forced sodomy of his 7-year-old daughter. A search of his home revealed that he possessed a 40 mm grenade launcher and several firearms, resulting in an additional count of possession of an unregistered military weapon.

Trial Dyer was part of three trials, the first two of which were dismissed as mistrials in January 2010 and April 2011. He faced six charges, including kidnapping and second degree rape by instrumentation. In Dyer's third trial, the judge ordered that media and photography of the jury panel be prohibited.

In April 2012, Dyer was convicted of the rape of his daughter. He was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment.