NC couple arrested in connection to Jan. 6 insurrection

A couple from North Carolina has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Curtis Davis, 45, and Tonya Bishop, 48, of Snow Hill, 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 the following misdemeanor offenses:

• 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
• Parading, picketing and demonstrating in a Capitol building

Both defendants were arrested on Dec. 8 in Snow Hill and will make their initial appearances Monday.

According to court documents, Davis and Bishop were identified in video footage as being present inside the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Surveillance footage taken from inside the Capitol building and reviewed by law enforcement showed Davis and Bishop as they entered the building 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 then moved away from the police officers before he re-engaged and again punched law enforcement officers, according to court documents.

In other video footage, Davis is seen aggressively yelling at officers and was physically restrained by Bishop. Video footage then showed Davis as he fought with law enforcement officers. Court documents said Davis threw punches at multiple police officers and made contact with at least one Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer. In subsequent video footage, Davis stated that he had injured the knuckles on his hand during the confrontation.

Bishop is also seen on security footage as she placed her hands on and pushed police officers who were attempting to disperse rioters from the Rotunda, according to court documents.

Additional body-worn camera footage reviewed by law enforcement depicted Davis, Bishop and other rioters inside the Capitol as they attacked and attempted to seize control of an MPD officer's baton. In this footage, Davis can be seen shoving and punching an MPD officer and seizing the officer's police baton. Court documents said both Davis and Bishop forcibly resisted, impeded and interfered with MPD officers who were attempting to remove rioters from the Rotunda.

Body-worn camera footage showed Bishop as she resisted and refused an MPD officer's attempt to move her several times. Bishop told police, "You can't turn on Americans," and then proceeded to put both hands on an MPD officer's baton before another officer pushed her away.

Additional video reviewed by law enforcement depicted both Davis and Bishop at the sealed doors outside the Capitol building. Bishop is identified as she was being interviewed on the steps of the Capitol and standing on top of a law enforcement vehicle, speaking into a megaphone.

In the video footage, Bishop encouraged others to remain inside the building and asked other rioters leaving the Capitol, "Why is everybody walking the wrong way?" According to court documents, Bishop made additional statements like "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.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-225-5324 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.