Ohio Man Charged in July 2016 Gate-Crashing Incident at FBI-Pittsburgh Headquarters

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Pennsylvania
3 January 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PITTSBURGH - One resident of New Waterford, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of willfully injuring or committing depredation against any property of the United States, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count indictment named Thomas Ross, as the sole defendant.

According to Indictment, on July 26, 2016, Thomas Ross drove his vehicle through the gate of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, located at 3311 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ross proceeded to ram through the security barriers at a high rate of speed, causing his vehicle to become airborne while inflicting extensive damage to the security barrier. Upon hitting the ground, the vehicle struck a nearby light post in the interior parking lot of the FBI Pittsburgh, causing the light post to fall.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses, the extent of the property damage, and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney James T. Kitchen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pittsburgh FBI and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.