WASHINGTON D.C. – Another name added to the growing list of those facing justice for the January 6th insurrection. Thomas Eugene Tatum, 48, of Greenville, Mississippi, was arrested today and now faces serious felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the Capitol breach. The Department of Justice alleges Tatum wasn’t just *present* at the riot; he actively fueled the chaos that disrupted the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Tatum is charged with the felony offense of civil disorder, alongside multiple misdemeanors, including entering restricted grounds, disorderly conduct within those grounds, and specifically, disorderly conduct *inside* the Capitol itself. The FBI took Tatum into custody in Oxford, Mississippi, and he’s already made his initial court appearance in the Northern District of Mississippi. This arrest marks over 1,450 individuals charged across nearly all 50 states for their involvement in the Capitol breach, with over 500 facing felony charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
According to court documents, the evidence paints a disturbing picture. Tatum was identified on the Lower West Plaza shortly before 2:30 p.m. on January 6th. Body-worn camera footage allegedly shows Tatum repeatedly berating and taunting both U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers as they attempted to contain the surging crowd. He wasn’t just yelling; Tatum allegedly positioned himself at the front of the mob, directly contributing to the officers being forced to retreat.
The indictment details shocking claims of Tatum actively *encouraging* violence. Court papers state he could be heard urging fellow rioters to steal officers’ helmets, weapons, and even go after them physically. Furthermore, Tatum is accused of pointing a flagpole at officers, exacerbating their retreat. After the initial police line fell, Tatum allegedly pushed further into the restricted area, making his way to the Lower West Terrace and eventually joining the violent scrum at the Tunnel entrance – a focal point of the most brutal attacks on law enforcement that day.
Inside the Tunnel, Tatum allegedly joined a large group attempting to overwhelm the police line, repeatedly surging forward. CCTV footage reportedly shows him and others being forcibly expelled by officers. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division, with assistance from the Northern District of Mississippi. The investigation is a joint effort between the FBI’s Jackson and Washington Field Offices, alongside the USCP and MPD.
The FBI continues to seek information related to the January 6th attack. Anyone with tips is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit them online at tips.fbi.gov. It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and Thomas Eugene Tatum, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.
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Related Federal Cases
- MS Man Thomas Tatum Arrested in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Mississippi
- Cousins Face Decades in Prison for Capitol Assault · Mississippi
- Arkansas Man Admits Beating Cop at Jan. 6 Riot · Arkansas
- Colorado Man Faces Charges in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Colorado
- Florida Man Pepper-Sprays Cops at Jan. 6 Riot · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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