A 49-year-old Ohio man plowed a massive dump truck through the security gate of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office in a brazen 2016 assault on federal property, then pleaded guilty to willfully injuring U.S. government assets, federal prosecutors confirmed today.
Thomas Ross, formerly of New Waterford, Ohio, admitted in federal court to ramming his vehicle through reinforced barriers at the FBI’s East Carson Street facility on July 26, 2016. Traveling at high speed, Ross’s dump truck tore through the gate, became airborne, and crashed into a light pole inside the compound, leaving wreckage in the FBI’s own parking lot.
Ross pleaded guilty to one count of willfully injuring or committing depredation against property of the United States before Chief U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti. The attack caused approximately $175,000 in damage to the gate and security infrastructure, with an additional $13,684 needed to repair the mangled light post, according to government estimates.
Investigators revealed that the FBI was forced to hire extra security personnel during repairs, adding further financial burden. The total loss tied to Ross’s actions will be finalized at sentencing, where prosecutors will argue for maximum accountability.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2018. Ross faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the final penalty will reflect the severity of the crime and Ross’s criminal history, if any.
The case was investigated by the Pittsburgh FBI and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam N. Hallowell. No motive for the attack was disclosed in court filings.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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