Image by Richard Burton from Pixabay
September 6, 2024 - WASHINGTON – A Florida man and member of the “Proud Boys” organization pleaded guilty today to felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Nathaniel Tuck, 32, of Apopka, Florida, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of entering and remaining in a restricted area. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly will sentence Tuck on Jan. 8, 2025.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Nathan Tuck, who, at the time of the events of January 6th, was a member of the “Space Coast” chapter of the Proud Boys organization based in central Florida, traveled from his home to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his father, Kevin Tuck, and other members of the Proud Boys organization including Arthur Jackman and Joe Biggs.
The men stayed together in a rental unit the night before and, on Jan. 6, 2021, gathered near the Washington Monument with approximately 100 other Proud Boys members. Following instructions, Nathan Tuck refrained from wearing Proud Boys colors and joined the group dressed in dark attire.
At around 10:00 a.m., Ethan Nordean and Joe Biggs led the group away from a rally and towards the Capitol. During the march, Nordean addressed the group through a megaphone, expressing grievances against the police and government. As they passed Capitol Police officers, Biggs taunted them, and the group hurled accusations of "treason."
By noon, the group arrived at the west side of the Capitol. After a brief stop near food trucks, the group, including the Tucks and Jackman, marched to the Peace Circle. Once there, Biggs led the crowd in chants such as “USA!” and “Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!” At 12:53 p.m., the crowd surged forward, overwhelming police barricades and advancing onto Capitol grounds. Nathan Tuck, aware he was not permitted to be there, entered the restricted area.
Over the next hour, the group continued to press forward. At approximately 1:45 p.m., a push initiated by a Proud Boy member led to the crowd overwhelming officers and advancing towards the Capitol. Tuck, along with his group, moved to the east side, encountering and breaching a line of police officers. There, they proceeded to the Capitol building, where Tuck pushed past officers and entered the building at approximately 2:18 p.m., making physical contact with at least one officer.
Once inside, Tuck joined other rioters in taunting police officers. At one point, he made statements referencing the lack of stimulus checks. He remained inside the Capitol for approximately 54 minutes before exiting at 3:12 p.m. After leaving, he reunited with other Proud Boys for a celebratory photograph on Capitol grounds. Later that day, in a text conversation with family, Tuck stated that he had, “Fought the police.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Tampa and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 43 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,488 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 550 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Source: DOJ Release
