William K. Washington, Assaulting Federal Protective Service Security Officers, Pennsylvania 2020

A Philadelphia man is facing federal charges after allegedly assaulting two federal security officers at a Social Security Administration office in the city.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 65-year-old William K. Washington forced his way into the SSA office at 701 East Chelten Avenue on May 8, 2020, despite being told it was closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington refused to leave the premises even after he was ordered to do so, and then resisted as the officers physically removed him. He allegedly punched one of the officers multiple times and injured both officers during the encounter.

“The defendant allegedly barged into a closed federal office, refused to listen to repeated instructions to leave, and then escalated the encounter to the point that he injured two federal security officers who were simply doing their job,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain.

If convicted, Washington faces a maximum possible sentence of eight years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Albert S. Glenn.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/philadelphia-man-arrested-and-charged-assaulting-federal-protective-service-security