WASHINGTON D.C. – Another name added to the Jan. 6th roster. Thomas Eugene Tatum, 48, of Greenville, Mississippi, is facing serious charges for his alleged actions during the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The feds say Tatum’s behavior directly disrupted the joint session of Congress convened to certify the 2020 presidential election results.
Tatum is charged with the felony offense of civil disorder, alongside several misdemeanors: entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and general disorderly conduct within the Capitol grounds. The FBI took Tatum into custody in Oxford, Mississippi, where he made his initial court appearance in the Northern District of Mississippi. This isn’t a plea deal situation; the government is building a case.
Court documents paint a disturbing picture of Tatum’s involvement. He was allegedly spotted on the Lower West Plaza of the Capitol grounds shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 6th, immediately launching into a tirade against officers from both the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Body-worn camera footage reportedly shows Tatum repeatedly berating and taunting law enforcement as they attempted to hold back the surging mob. He wasn’t just yelling; he allegedly positioned himself at the front of the crowd, actively contributing to the officers being forced to retreat.
The feds say Tatum didn’t stop there. He allegedly egged on fellow rioters, urging them to steal helmets, weapons, and even *heads* from the officers. Witnesses claim Tatum was seen brandishing a flagpole, using it to point at officers and further contribute to their retreat. After police were forced to fall back from the Lower West Plaza, Tatum allegedly pushed further into the restricted area, eventually making his way to the Lower West Terrace and joining the chaotic scrum at the Tunnel entrance – a known hotspot for the most brutal attacks on law enforcement that day.
According to court documents, Tatum joined the mass of rioters attempting to break through the police line inside the Tunnel, repeatedly surging forward in collective efforts to overwhelm the officers. CCTV footage then shows Tatum and others being forcibly expelled from the Tunnel by responding police. This wasn’t a peaceful protest; it was a deliberate attempt to obstruct the lawful proceedings of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
The FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, and Washington Field Offices are leading the investigation, with support from the USCP and MPD. This arrest brings the total number of individuals charged in connection with the January 6th breach to over 1,450 across nearly all 50 states, with more than 500 facing felony charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or via tips.fbi.gov. Remember, a criminal complaint is just an accusation, and Tatum is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- MS Man Accused of Inciting Jan. 6 Riot · Mississippi
- Cousins Face Decades in Prison for Capitol Assault · Mississippi
- Colorado Man Faces Charges in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Colorado
- Oregon Man Convicted in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Washington
- Texas Gunman Indicted in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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