Ohio Man Charged in 2016 FBI Pittsburgh Gate-Ramming

A man from New Waterford, Ohio, has been indicted in connection with a brazen July 2016 assault on federal property — crashing his vehicle through the secured gate of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office. Thomas Ross faces one federal count of willfully injuring or committing depredation against property of the United States, a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

On July 26, 2016, Ross drove at high speed directly into the security barriers at the FBI facility located at 3311 East Carson Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His vehicle became airborne as it plowed through the gate system before crashing back to the ground inside the compound. The impact sent the car careening into a light post in the interior parking lot, toppling it. No agents or officers were injured, but the damage to federal infrastructure was extensive.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, marks the culmination of a nearly eight-year investigation into the incident. Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song confirmed the charges, emphasizing that attacks on federal facilities are treated with the utmost seriousness by federal prosecutors.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is leading the prosecution. He will argue that Ross’s actions were deliberate and posed a direct threat to national security infrastructure. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the final sentence — if Ross is convicted — will reflect the severity of the property damage, the symbolic weight of the target, and any prior criminal record.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Pittsburgh FBI field office and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Agents collected physical evidence, surveillance footage, and vehicle data to build the case. Despite the passage of time, authorities maintained the investigation remained active, underscoring their commitment to accountability.

An indictment is not a conviction. Thomas Ross is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If tried and found guilty, he could face the maximum penalties: 10 years behind bars, a $250,000 fine, or both. The case is now pending before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

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