White House Fence Jumper Sentenced to 17 Months in Prison
WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) — A Texas man who jumped the White House fence in September, making it as far as inside the north portico, was sentenced to 17 months in prison Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Omar Gonzalez, 43, of Copperas Cove, Texas, was arrested Sept. 19 after he climbed the White House fence with a folding knife. He ran across the north lawn and entered the doors at the north portico before being arrested by the Secret Service.
The incident put the entire building on lockdown. Investigators searching Gonzalez’s vehicle found firearms and ammunition.
On March 13, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon, and one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers or employees.
Upon completion of his prison sentence, Gonzalez will be placed on three years of supervised release. He must not enter the District of Columbia throughout the duration of his supervision other than for court appearances or meetings with his attorney.
He must also submit to psychiatric evaluation and treatment.
“Mr. Gonzalez is now paying the price for his foolish decision to jump the fence and run inside the White House,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent Cohen Jr. “The prison sentence imposed by the court should deter others from taking actions that needlessly put the First Family and White House employees at risk.”
