Dallas FBI makes 20th arrest in connection with storming of the U.S. Capitol
David Lee Judd of Carrollton is the latest person to be arrested for allegedly taking part in the violent Jan. 6 insurrection. But FBI officials say they still need the public's help in identifying some of the most violent suspects.
By Kevin Krause
3:53 PM on Mar 26, 2021 CDT
Updated at 5 p.m. to include details of the allegations.
A Carrollton man accused of throwing a firecracker at police officers while trying to violently shove his way into the U.S. Capitol with a mob was arrested Friday, according to the FBI.
David Lee Judd, 35, had his first appearance Friday in federal court in Sherman, authorities said.
He has been charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees; and civil disorder, according to court records.
Judd remains in federal custody. His lawyer declined to comment.
He is at least the 15th North Texan to be charged in connection with the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol that left one officer dead and about 140 others injured. Federal authorities have called it an act of domestic terrorism.
And Judd is the 20th person to be arrested in connection with the riot by the FBI's Dallas division that covers the top half of Texas from the eastern to the western boundary of the state.
David Lee Judd(FBI Dallas)
An FBI complaint said Judd is captured on video before 3 p.m. at a tunnel entrance to the Capitol at the Lower West Terrace, which was the scene of a lengthy and violent clash between rioters and officers guarding the building.
A large group of men, some carrying tools and other weapons, worked together to try to push their way through a police line at the tunnel entrance, the complaint said.
Judd, wearing a "Make America Great Again" baseball hat, is seen walking into the tunnel with others and joining them in pushing against the line of officers while the group yelled, "Ready, heave!"
Judd also was with a group of rioters who passed back riot shields taken from the officers, the FBI says. He shouted, "Shield wall," while pumping his fist in the air, according to agents.
David Lee Judd is shown in a mob of rioters trying to breach the U.S. Capitol, according to the FBI.(FBI)
"Judd is seen helping move at least two shields into the tunnel and pass them to another rioter in front of him," the complaint says. "Moments later, Judd can be seen on the surveillance footage walking into the tunnel. He then lights an object on fire and throws it at the line of law enforcement officers who are guarding the Lower West Terrace doors."
Someone in the mob said Judd threw a large "firecracker," according to the FBI. Judd remained at the tunnel entrance and appeared to be waving rioters forward, into the tunnel, the complaint said.
"During these various videos, Judd can be seen chanting with the crowd, encouraging people to enter the tunnel," the complaint said. He also allegedly helped people wash pepper spray from their faces with water.
By 4:16 p.m., Judd had joined another large group of rioters who were again pushing against officers guarding the Lower West Terrace doors, the FBI says.
Agents learned from witnesses that prior to the insurrection, Judd had posted on social media that he was looking for a ride to the Donald Trump rally in Washington. In the post, Judd said he "worked for the president this year in Maine," according to the complaint.
"I'm a Texas patriot and American First Supporter," he allegedly wrote.
David Lee Judd tossed a firecracker at police officers guarding a tunnel entrance to the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, the FBI says.(FBI)
Judd also said in the post that he is a "professional driver" who has a license to carry a firearm and can "help with driving and funds too," according to the FBI complaint.
"Together with resources from our state and local partners, we have made related arrests from Lubbock to Longview," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno in a statement. "They [defendants] have lived and functioned in the mainstream of our communities and all spurred public outrage by their actions."
DeSarno said North Texas residents have helped authorities by providing tips and encouraging loved ones to turn themselves in to law enforcement.
"However, some of the most violent offenders have yet to be identified, and we ask again for your assistance in identifying additional perpetrators of these heinous acts," he said.
Photos of additional subjects are available by going to the FBI's Capitol riot Most Wanted page.
Kevin Krause. Kevin has worked for The Dallas Morning News since 2003, and he has covered federal criminal courts for the past six years. Kevin has been a journalist for 26 years. Kevin is a multiple recipient of the Stephen Philbin Award for excellence in legal reporting. Kevin earned a BA from Boston University.
kkrause@dallasnews.com @KevinRKrause
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