Curtis Lear, a 30-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to destruction of government property and assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentencing took place before Judge Carl J. Nichols, who also ordered Lear to serve three years of supervised release and pay $9,165 in restitution.
The charges stem from an incident on June 21, 2025, when Lear drove a black Jeep Patriot onto the National Mall near 7th Street, SW. According to witness accounts and video evidence from surveillance and cell phone cameras, Lear sped across the grass at high speeds while hundreds of people were present for the “33rd Annual Giant Barbecue Battle.” At one point during the incident, he drove toward two individuals, causing them to fear for their safety.
When approached by a U.S. Capitol Police officer, Lear rolled down his window and said, “It’s just a joke.” Another officer reported that Lear exited his vehicle and yelled at pedestrians while flexing his arms. Police attempted to stop him at the scene but he fled. Officers later located the Jeep around 3:00 a.m., conducted a traffic stop, and found Lear behind the wheel.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the sentence alongside Chief Scott Brecht of the U.S. Park Police. 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.
