Marine Once Hailed A Hero For Saving Dogs Charged In Capitol Riot

LONGVIEW, TX — An East Texas man who just over two years ago was lauded as a hero for saving the lives of people and dogs in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in North Carolina is now one of the more than 100 who have been charged federally in connection with the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

Ryan Nichols, a U.S. Marines veteran, drove some 18 hours from his Longview, Texas, home to Leland, North Carolina, just after Hurricane Florence hit in September 2018, WECT and others reported then. His effort to help led to the rescue of 25 people and 10 animals, he said when interviewed about his good deeds on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

A video from his 2018 North Carolina visit showing Nichols rescuing dogs that were left in an outdoor cage as it was flooding was viewed millions of times. DeGeneres was so impressed with his bravery that she donated $25,000 to the Humane Society in his name. His family also was gifted a trip to Hawaii.

NBC News reported then Nichols made the trip to North Carolina to help because his family's home and business flooded a year earlier when Hurricane Harvey ravaged Texas.

He's now facing federal charges for what authorities said was his apparent role in the Capitol riot.

*Update: Ryan Nichols, 30, @USMC Veteran and now-fired realtor with Texas Real Estate Executives is charged with CONSPIRACY & violent entry with a dangerous weapon, civil disorder, and ASSAULT on a federal officer using a deadly weapon. https://t.co/8f9NHMM0JI pic.twitter.com/G89HnXzKzc
— Cleavon MD (@Cleavon_MD) January 20, 2021

Nichols carried a canister of pepper spray and a crowbar during the riot, according to a federal complaint. A video shows him and another Texas man, Alex Kirk Harkrider of Carthage, on the ledge of a window, with Nichols holding a bullhorn and crowbar, the complaint states.

Nichols can be heard yelling into the bullhorn, “this is the second revolution right here folks! ... This is not a peaceful protest," according to the charges.

The complaint included statements alleged to have been made by Nichols on Facebook and Snapchat. One, which included an image appearing to show him and Harkrider right outside the Capitol, included the caption "We're in."

Nichols is also accused of using the pepper spray on a federal agent attempting to protect the Capitol, the charges state.

Nichols faces seven charges in all, including disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and assault on a federal officer.