Ex-NASCAR driver Tighe Scott and 3 other Pennsylvania men face charges stemming from Capitol riot
Retired NASCAR driver Tighe Scott, his adult son and two other Pennsylvania men are facing charges following confrontations with police during the Jan. 6, 2021, siege of the U.S. Capitol.
Scott, 75, of Pen Argyl, and three Saylorsburg residents – Jarret Scott, 48; Scott Slater Sr., 56, and his son Scott Alex Slater Jr., 26, were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday. Court records did not list an attorney for either man, and prosecutors did not respond Thursday to a question about whether any of the men had retained attorneys.
Tipsters helped identify the men after authorities posted photos and videos of the riot online, including one who recognized Tighe Scott from his racing days.
The four men entered the restricted grounds of the Capitol during the insurrection and became physically involved with police trying to hold the line of protesters, the release said. During this time, Tighe Scott punched police riot shields and tried to snatch one from an officer’s hands, while the two Slaters — both carrying golf clubs — pushed and resisted police shields, authorities said.
When an officer pushed Tighe Scott away from him, Scott stumbled backwards into his son, who then began yelling profanities at the officers, according to the release. Meanwhile, Scott Slater Jr. pitched. a flagpole and an “Area Closed” sign to officers, investigators said.
Tighe Scott and Jarret Scott were each charged with two felonies – obstruction of law enforcement during a civil unrest and assaulting, resisting or obstructing certain officers – and five misdemeanors.
Scott Slater Jr. faces three felonies: obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder, assaulting, resisting or obstructing certain officers, and assaulting, resisting or obstructing certain officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon. His father faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing law enforcement during a civil unrest, and both Slaters face several misdemeanor charges.
Tighe Scott competed in dirt racing events before moving to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He won no races, but had multiple top-10 finishes and raced in the Daytona 500 several times.