Another pair of North Carolinians arrested and charged for participation in Jan. 6 insurrection

Featured photo: Official White House photo (photo by Cameron Smith)

This story was originally published by NC Newsline, story by Rob Schofield

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced on Monday that a new pair of North Carolina residents has been arrested and criminally charged for their participation in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

This is from the official announcement:

Curtis Davis, 45, and Tonya Bishop, 48, of Snow Hill, North Carolina, are each charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In addition to the felonies, the couple is charged with various misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings; and parading, picketing, and demonstrating in a Capitol building.

The announcement said that the pair was arrested on Friday December 8 in Snow Hill and were scheduled to make their initial appearance in federal District Court in North Carolina on Monday. The arrests bring the number of North Carolinians to face criminal charges in conjunction with the insurrection to at least 32. All told, more than 1,230 people have been charged in almost every state. Several have been convicted or pleaded guilty and received sentences of probation, prison terms, or both.

Among the alleged acts described in the announcement, as culled from open-source video and other documentary evidence:

• Davis and Bishop entered the Capitol and joined an escalating conflict between rioters and law enforcement. “In the footage, Davis can be seen shoving and punching law enforcement officers who were attempting to disperse rioters.”
• Davis is seen aggressively yelling at officers, while being physically restrained by Bishop.
• Davis fought with law enforcement officers and threw punches at multiple police officers and made contact with at least one Metropolitan Police Department officer.
• Bishop placed her hands on and pushed police officers who were attempting to disperse rioters from the Rotunda.
• Davis, Bishop and other rioters attacked and attempted to seize control of an MPD officer’s baton.
• Davis shoved and punched an MPD officer and seized the officer’s police baton.
• Both Davis and Bishop forcibly resisted, impeded, and interfered with MPD officers who were attempting to remove rioters from the Rotunda.
• As part of her resistance, Bishop told police, “You can’t turn on Americans.” She then proceeded to put her hands on an MPD officer’s baton before another officer pushed her away.
• Bishop was interviewed on the steps of the Capitol and standing on top of a law enforcement vehicle, speaking into a megaphone. In video footage, Bishop encouraged others to remain inside the building and asked other rioters leaving the Capitol, “Why is everybody walking the wrong way?” Bishop further stated that “this is our one chance” and “I’m ready to go back in because this is our f— building.” Davis was also present during this and was identified as he took pictures and filmed Bishop.

Federal officials continue to pursue and prosecute individuals believed to have participated in the insurrection. Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.