Four Pennsylvania men were arrested on charges stemming from their alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. Scott Slater Sr., Scott Alex Slater Jr., Jarret Carl Scott, and Tighe John Scott face a series of felony and misdemeanor charges for their actions, which allegedly included assaulting police officers and obstructing law enforcement during the civil disorder that unfolded as Congress was certifying the 2020 presidential election results, as the Justice Department announced yesterday
According to the criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia, the group, now referred to as the Scotts and Slaters, engaged in physical confrontations with law enforcement officers on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol building. Court documents reveal body-worn camera and publicly available footage helped identify the accused, who are said to have attended the "Stop the Steal" rally before moving onto to the Capitol.
It is alleged that Scott Alex Slater Jr. assaulted an officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon after he picked up a flagpole and threw it towards police, as well as an "AREA CLOSED" sign. The FBI's Philadelphia and Washington Field Offices led the investigation, with assistance from U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. As part of a wider effort, more than 1,424 individuals have been charged in relation to the Jan 6. breach, with over 500 facing charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
The defendants were arrested in Pennsylvania and are expected to make their initial appearances in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. "During this confrontation with police, it is alleged that Tighe Scott engaged with police, physically struck riot shields, and attempted to rip a riot shield out of an officer’s hands," the Justice Department stated. Slater Sr. and Jarret Scott are also accused of using golf clubs to push and resist against police shields. Notably, the Scotts and the Slaters were among those listed as "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) by authorities prior to their arrest.
This case, handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section, underscores the ongoing ramifications of the Jan. 6 event as investigations and arrests continue to address the multitude of crimes committed during the Capitol breach.
