U.S.

Department of J ustice

Ronald C. Machen Jr.
United States Attorney for the
District of Columbia
Judiciary Center
555 Fourth St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
For Information Contact:
Public Affairs
(202) 252-6933
http://www.justice.gov/usao/dc/index.html

Omar Gonzalez Indicted on Federal and Local Charges
For Entering White House Grounds With a Weapon
Charges Follow Sept. 19, 2014 Incident

WASHINGTON Omar Gonzalez, 42, formerly of Copperas Cove, Texas, was indicted
by a federal grand jury today on charges stemming from an incident on Sept. 19, 2014, in which
he climbed a fence and ran toward and into the White House while armed with a folding knife.

The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen J r. and Kathy A.
Michalko, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service.

The grand jury in the District of Columbia returned a three-count indictment against
Gonzalez, who has been in custody since his arrest on Sept. 19, 2014. Following his arrest,
Gonzalez was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds, while carrying a
deadly or dangerous weapon. The grand jury today indicted him for that federal offense, as well
as two additional charges alleging violations of District of Columbia law: carrying a dangerous
weapon outside a home or place of business, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

The federal charge carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison. The D.C. charge of
carrying a dangerous weapon carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison, and the charge
of unlawful possession of ammunition carries a potential maximum of a year of incarceration.

According to the governments evidence, on Sept. 19, 2014, at about 7:19 p.m., Gonzalez
climbed over the north fence of the White House. An officer with the U.S. Secret Service ran
toward him and yelled at him to stop. Gonzalez, however, ran toward the White House. Moments
later, he went through the north doors and entered the building. He was apprehended inside the
White House. Gonzalez was searched and a black folding knife was discovered in his right front
pants pocket. The knife had a serrated blade that was three and one-half inches long.

After Gonzalezs arrest, he gave oral consent to search his vehicle, which was located on
Constitution Avenue NW. The vehicle contained hundreds of rounds of ammunition, both in
boxes and in magazines, two hatchets, and a machete.

Gonzalez is scheduled to appear on Oct. 1, 2014, before Magistrate J udge Deborah A.
Robinson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has omitted a violation of
criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Mudd and Thomas A. Gillice, of the National Security Section of
the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

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