Tennessee Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Tennessee man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Bart Gore, 51, of Dandridge, Tennessee, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

            Gore was arrested on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Tennessee and made his initial appearance in the Eastern District of Tennessee.

            According to court documents, Gore was identified through open-source video footage as present among a crowd of rioters illegally gathered on the U.S. Capitol grounds and later in the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Gore was identified as wearing blue jeans, a grey hoodie, dark gloves, a black backpack, and at times, a dark beanie, a medical mask, and clear safety glasses.

            Prior to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, Gore communicated his intentions for the day via social media. Gore wrote in one message, "I'm gonna try to go to DC the sixth of January. "I'd love to be the one to capture Obama or Hillary. I'd strip them naked and beat them with a belt and switch. Then I'd rest and beat them some more."

            In a subsequent series of messages via social media, Gore was asked, "You think if we go to DC we will find anywhere to stay?" Gore replied, "I was thinking about that this afternoon. I’m coming home Saturday.  We will look. I'm bringing an AR with me." Gore later stated, "…You ready to get beat up? Lol” “I'm gonna go to dicks and get me a mouth guard so I don't get my teeth knocked out. Lol” “…I may get a small bat and a backpack" "A few cans of wasp spray" "Dude, do you realize we may be a huge part of history? Just like in 1776. I want to do my part" and "I don't care. If it's good enough for my brothers to be fighting, it's good enough for me. I don't want to live in a communist country. I'll fight til I can't fight anymore to keep my kids from living that way."

            Court documents say that Gore was seen on January 6th ascending the stairs of the West Front of the Capitol building to the Terrace level. After climbing the stairs, Gore made statements on a recorded video, stating, "This's where its going on.” “We made it to the top.” “Ready to go in.” “Here we come.” Going in the Capitol." Gore is then seen among a group of rioters entering the Capitol building via the Senate Fire Door leading to the Brumidi Corridor at approximately 2:47 p.m.

            Gore later wrote of his exploits on January 6th. An individual sent Gore a message from on or around January 6-9th, stating, "What's going on up there?" to which Gore replied, "Chaos!!" "I made it inside" "Yes. Got flash grenanded and tear gassed". In the same message thread, an individual stated, "But boyyy I bet pelosi is sweating rn" to which Gore replied, "I hope she can't sleep at night."

            On or around Jan. 12, 2021, court documents say that Gore sent messages to an individual that read, "Let's go back to DC and pick a fight with cnn employees" "I want to go back" and "I wasn't satisfied. I would've been satisfied if they had brought Nancy's head out on a stick".

            This case is being investigated by the FBI's Knoxville and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 35 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,230 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.