Curtis Lear, a 30-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 18 months in prison for driving recklessly on the National Mall while hundreds of people were present. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Lear pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of destruction of government property and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Judge Carl J. Nichols also ordered Lear to serve three years of supervised release and pay $9,165 in restitution for the damage caused.
The incident occurred on June 21, 2025, at approximately 8:45 p.m., when Lear drove a black Jeep Patriot onto the National Mall near 7th Street, SW, between Jefferson and Madison Drives. Witnesses reported that he drove at high speeds, made sharp turns on the grass, and accelerated uncontrollably as large crowds attended the “33rd Annual Giant Barbecue Battle.” At one point during the event, Lear drove toward two people, causing them to fear immediate injury. Surveillance footage and cell phone videos captured parts of the incident.
A U.S. Capitol Police officer approached Lear’s vehicle on foot; according to authorities, Lear rolled down his window and said, “It’s just a joke.” Another officer observed that Lear exited his vehicle and yelled at pedestrians while flexing his arms. Police attempted to detain him at the scene but he fled. Officers later found him behind the wheel of his Jeep around 3:00 a.m. after conducting a traffic stop.
U.S. Park Police Chief Scott Brecht joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the sentence. The case was investigated by the U.S. Park Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Green and Michael C. Lee.
Lear’s actions resulted in more than $9,000 worth of damage to federal property on the National Mall.
