An individual from Indiana has been convicted and sentenced to more than five years in prison for attacking law enforcement officials during the Capitol riots on January 6th. The perpetrator used makeshift weapons and even posted evidence of the assault on social media.
On Tuesday, Curtis Logan Tate, a 32-year-old man from Jeffersonville, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release for his involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Additionally, he was ordered to pay more than $3,000 in restitution for his charges.
According to court records, Tate participated in the “Stop the Steal” demonstration on January 6 in Washington, D.C. to express his opposition to the certification of the 2020 presidential election outcomes by Congress. He was seen wearing a black jacket, green tactical vest, and green pants, along with a black knit cap, while carrying a metal baton that he had brought with him all the way from Indiana.
According to court documents, Tate joined a sizeable group of people and marched to the U.S. Capitol grounds after the rally. Witnesses say that once they arrived, Tate urged the crowd to continue moving forward, shouting “Keep going!” Later, Tate shared a photo on Instagram with the caption “Before the first breach.”
At approximately 2:45 p.m., Tate and a large group of rioters initiated an assault on a protective police barrier located by the Tunnel entrance of the Capitol building. According to documented court records, this particular zone was the scene of some of the most aggressive confrontations between the police and the rioters on January 6th.
According to court documents, Tate utilized a range of improvised weapons to attack law enforcement while present. The weapons used by Tate against the officers consisted of:
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- A black speaker box
- A shoe
- A broken table leg with nails
- A floor lamp
- A long piece of lumber
- A metal baton
- A black nightstick
According to court records, Tate continued to upload multiple videos and photos to his Instagram account during the riots. His captions were quite explicit and expressed his frustration with the government officials. For instance, he used phrases like “F*** ALL THESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS” and “POST 2ND TEAR GAS.”
During an interview with USA Today in March 2023, Tate was questioned regarding his involvement in the Capitol riots. Although online investigators had identified him, he claimed that he had not been arrested. Tate admitted to being present at the Capitol on January 6th, but denied any involvement in assaulting anyone.
In an interview with the newspaper, he stated that he holds immense respect for the military and the police. As someone who comes from a military background, he firmly believes in never causing harm to any officer.
On August 24, 2023, the FBI arrested Tate in Wilmington, N.C., after collecting evidence against the Clark County man. Later, on March 7, 2024, Tate pleaded guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer.
The U.S. Capitol breach has resulted in the charging of over 1,470 individuals across nearly all 50 states for various crimes. Out of these charges, more than 530 individuals have been accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The FBI is currently continuing its investigation into the matter.
The FBI is urging anyone who has any information regarding the Capitol riots that took place on January 6th or the individuals responsible for them, to contact their offices immediately at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
