capitol riot

Dallas Actor Accused of Assaulting Officers With Crutch in U.S. Capitol Riot

41-year-old Luke Coffee, a Dallas-area actor, was identified using photos and videos taken at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6

Lev Radin | Pacific Press | LightRocket | Getty Images

A Dallas area native who allegedly used a crutch to assault police officers while storming the U.S. Capitol last month is set to appear in court on Friday, the FBI says.

Luke Coffee, 41, surrendered to authorities in Dallas on Thursday.

Coffee, a professional actor, is at least the ninth person in North Texas to be arrested in the Jan. 6 riot following a rally by former President Donald Trump. It happened as Congress was certifying the presidential election results.

According to a criminal complaint, Coffee wore a brown hat, camouflage clothing, and a blue bandana, and he allegedly wielded a crutch as he attempted to push his way into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Photos of Coffee recorded on an officer's body-worn camera and security surveillance cameras were included in the criminal complaint as evidence in the case.

U.S. Department of Justice
The FBI entered this photo taken from unsourced video into evidence as part of a criminal complaint against Luke Coffee.

According to the criminal complaint, while storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, Coffee climbed up the steps to the Lower Terrace entryway and turned toward the crowd to make several statements.

The complaint alleges that after proceeding into the entryway, Coffee was involved in an altercation with Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and U.S. Capitol Police Officers.

Footage from officers' body-worn cameras shows Coffee making physical contact with officers, the complaint alleges.

According to the complaint, Coffee retrieved a crutch from the top of the stairs, which he held over his head as he faced the crowd.

U.S. Department of Justice
The FBI entered this photo taken from unsourced video into evidence as part of a criminal complaint against Luke Coffee.

Coffee then used the crutch to push through the line of MPD and USCP officers at the Capitol Building.

According to the complaint, Coffee charged at the officers while "holding the crutch in a more aggressive manner."

U.S. Department of Justice
The FBI entered this taken photo from a video recorded on an officer's body worn camera into evidence as part of a criminal complaint against Luke Coffee.

The complaint alleges that, based on footage from officers' body-worn cameras, Coffee, "intended to further use the crutch as blunt object weapon by positioning the crutch directly toward the officer’s upper chest/head area."

U.S. Department of Justice
The FBI entered this taken photo from a video recorded on an officer's body worn camera into evidence as part of a criminal complaint against Luke Coffee.

A witness, who informed investigators that they met Coffee in the summer of 2020, told investigators that they recognized Coffee in videos of the riot at the Capitol Building that was posted on social media and YouTube. The witness told investigators that they had previously seen Coffee in a social media video discussing several conspiracy theories, the complaint alleges.

According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents conducted an interview with Coffee on Jan. 13, during which Coffee admitted being present at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and informed agents that he had been wearing a brown hat and held a crutch over his head while at the Capitol.

Coffee told agents that he, "did not engage in any type of physical confrontations with the police while at the Capitol Building," according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, Coffee told agents that he departed Dallas in a truck on Jan. 4 and arrived in Washington D.C. on the night of Jan. 5. He stated that he "could not recall where he resided while in Washington D.C.," the complaint alleges.

Coffee informed the agents that he returned to Dallas on or about Jan. 7.

The complaint states that FBI Washington Field Office published multiple "Seeking Information" posters with photographs of individuals who participated in the riot at the Capitol Building.

After publishing one of these posters on Jan. 16, the FBI received several tips identifying one of the individuals pictured as Luke Coffee, the complaint alleges.

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI identified Luke Coffee using pictures and videos posted to social media, Coffee's driver's license, and pictures and videos recorded on officer's body-worn cameras and security surveillance cameras at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Coffee is expected to face charges of assault of a federal law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon, interference with law enforcement officer during civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, unlawful entry on restricted grounds and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds.

As of Feb. 26, according to the George Washington University Program on Extremism, federal charges have been filed against more than 254 people associated with the riot, including North Texans Garret Miller, of Richardson; Larry Rendall Brock, of Grapevine; Nolan Cooke, of Savoy; Jennifer Leigh Ryan, of Frisco; Guy Wesley Reffitt, of Wylie; Troy Anthony Smocks, of Dallas; Nicholas DeCarlo, of Burleson; Daniel Goodwyn of Corinth; Jason Hyland, of McKinney, Katherine Schwab, and now Luke Coffee.

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