ORLANDO, Fla. – Two Central Florida men in custody in Orlando are accused of taking part in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, according to U.S. Attorney’s office.
Kevin A. Tuck, 51, and Nathaniel A. Tuck, 29, have been arrested. It was revealed in court that the two are father and son.
The Windermere Police Department has confirmed that Kevin Tuck is an officer with the department.
The police chief released a statement about the officer’s arrest.
“We are disheartened by the arrest of Officer Kevin Tuck today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for charges stemming out of January 6, 2021 at the US Capitol Building,” Windemere Police Chief David Ogden said in the statement.
The statement goes on to say that another officer brought concerns about Kevin Tuck to the command staff. The department contacted the FBI on Jan. 11 and then interviewed Kevin Tuck the next day, records show. The chief said that the officer initially denied being inside the Capitol, saying that he had only attended a political rally.
On July 7, according to the statement, a warrant was secured for Officer Kevin Tuck’s arrest, who was then arrested on Thursday.
The chief said Kevin Tuck resigned immediately following his arrest and the Windemere police will move forward with an internal investigation.
Read the chief’s full statement below:
Tuck Press Release Doc by Thomas Mates on Scribd
Nathaniel Tuck is a former police officer with the Apopka Police Department, according to a news statement from that department.
That release states that Nathaniel Tuck resigned as a full-time officer on Aug. 22 2020 and worked as a reserve officer until Sept. 18, 2020.
[TRENDING: Love letters to homebuyers | More Saharan dust and La Nina | Disney moving some SoCal workers to Florida]
“Mr. Tuck was not employed by the Apopka Police Department at the time of the incident that led to his arrest. The Apopka Police Department became aware of the FBI’s investigation of Mr. Tuck and cooperated with their investigation,” the statement reads.
Read the Apopka police status below:
Nathan Tuck Arrest by Thomas Mates on Scribd
Both men appeared before a federal judge in Orlando on Thursday. News 6 was there as the men walked out of court, but neither man spoke.
In court, prosecutors claimed one of the men texted home saying “We stormed the Capitol, fought the police and took the flag. It’s our flag.”
Nathaniel Tuck is also accused of physically grabbing a Capitol police officer when he tried to stop him from entering the Capitol.
Court documents show Kevin and Nathaniel Tuck are being charged with Arthur Jackman — the husband of an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy and member of the Proud Boys.
In court yesterday, prosecutors referenced the Proud Boys attacking the Capitol, but did say whether the Tucks were members of the group. The indictment also does not say whether the Tucks are involved with the Proud Boys.
Record show they have been indicted by a federal grand jury on Obstruction of an official proceeding, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct inside a restricted building, disorderly conduct inside the Capitol, Parading or demonstrating inside the Capitol.
Kevin Tuck also faces a charge of entering the gallery of congress, and Nathaniel Tuck also faces a charge of civil disorder and obstructing a member of law enforcement.
Kevin Tuck faces a maximum of 23 years in prison if convicted. Nathaniel Tuck faces a maximum of 28 years in prison if convicted.
On Jan. 6, a mob of former President Donald Trump supporters pushed past police and entered the Capitol building as lawmakers were preparing to certify Joe Biden’s presidential win. Five people died during the violence: Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick and four demonstrators.
Hundreds of arrests have been made thus far, a number that includes several Floridians. In addition to these arrests, 21 other residents of Central Florida have been charged in connection with the Capitol Hill riot.
Among the most notable local suspects are a Sanford firefighter, a Proud Boys organizer and a Marion County man who was previously convicted of attempted murder.
Three others – Connie and Kelly Meggs and Kenneth Harrelson – are accused of plotting their actions ahead of Jan. 6 through phone calls and online conversations as members of the Oath Keepers.