Kennewick Man Sentenced to 12 Years After WinCo Incident
A judge sentenced Dyllan Martin to 12 years in prison following a violent confrontation with store security.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Crime — General
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Dyllan Martin received a 12-year prison sentence in Benton County Superior Court for second-degree assault and illegal gun possession. The sentencing follows an incident at a Kennewick WinCo where Martin threatened a security guard while shoplifting.
Why it matters
Martin received the maximum end of the legal sentencing range for his charges after a struggle where a security officer had to disarm him. The conviction marks another serious offense for Martin, who previously served time for a 2015 kidnapping plot.
Judge Bronson Brown issued the 12-year sentence after Martin pleaded guilty to second-degree assault with a firearm and illegal gun possession. The court proceedings concluded after firefighters were required to treat Martin for a suspected drug overdose.
The players
Dyllan Martin
He is a convicted felon who previously served nine years in prison for a 2015 kidnapping plot before his latest sentencing.
Bronson Brown
He is the judge at the Benton County Superior Court who oversaw the sentencing proceedings for the defendant.
The details
Martin confronted a security guard at the WinCo store on December 21, allegedly threatening to kill the officer and his family while attempting to shoplift merchandise valued at $3. During the struggle, a security officer and an assistant manager successfully restrained Martin and pried his finger off the firearm trigger.
Timeline
2015: Martin was involved in a kidnapping plot involving his great-grandmother.
December 21: Martin confronted a security guard at a Kennewick WinCo store.
October 26, 2026: The sentencing of Dyllan Martin was finalized in court.
Legal Context
The sentence reflects the escalation of Martin's criminal history following his 2015 conviction for kidnapping his great-grandmother. The court's decision to impose the maximum term aligns with local judicial practices regarding repeat offenders who use firearms.
The resolution of this case removes a repeat violent offender from the local community after the incident at a frequented retail location. Residents can expect continued standard security presence at area stores to ensure the safety of shoppers and employees.
The takeaway
This case highlights the serious legal consequences for shoplifting when a firearm is introduced into a confrontation. Local security teams are trained to intervene in such situations, and the court's sentencing reflects the severity of threatening lives during routine retail stops.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-City Herald.
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