U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced that Curtis Lear, a 30-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, appeared in U.S. District Court following federal charges related to an incident on the National Mall. The charges stem from allegations that Lear drove an SUV recklessly at high speed, causing significant damage to the area while it was crowded with visitors.
The complaint, filed on June 25, 2025, includes charges of Destruction Of Government Property, Assault With A Dangerous Weapon (Vehicle), and Reckless Driving. Chief Jessica Taylor of the U.S. Park Police participated in announcing these developments.
Charging documents reveal that on June 21 at approximately 8:45 p.m., a black Jeep Patriot with D.C. license plates entered the National Mall near 7th Street, SW. Witnesses reported the vehicle speeding and making sharp turns on the grass amidst hundreds of pedestrians.
During this event, a U.S. Capitol Police officer approached the vehicle, at which point the driver reportedly said, “It's just a joke.” Attempts by officers to stop the vehicle were unsuccessful as it fled the scene. Investigators later identified Lear as the registered owner of the Jeep through its license plate number.
Officers located and stopped the Jeep around 3 a.m. the next day with Lear driving.
The case is under investigation by U.S. Park Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Green and Michael Lee.
