This bill adds a new federal crime that forbids "barricading" while trying to avoid arrest by a federal law enforcement officer. It defines "barricade" as taking a position that prevents an officer from immediately getting to you and refusing orders to exit or otherwise comply when you know or should know an officer is trying to apprehend you. The bill makes it illegal to barricade while forcibly resisting a federal officer or to help someone else do so. Penalties are up to 3 years in prison or a fine, or up to 5 years if the action creates a risk of or causes serious physical harm, the person has or claims a deadly weapon, or a third party is present and cannot safely leave. The bill also renumbers an existing subsection of 18 U.S.C. §111 and gives the Act the short title "Secure Takedown and Obstruction Prevention Act" or "STOP Act."
If you block access to where you are and refuse to follow an officer's orders while a federal officer is trying to arrest you, this bill would make that a federal crime. Helping someone else do that could also be a crime. Most violations carry up to 3 years in prison; penalties increase to up to 5 years in cases involving serious harm, a deadly weapon (or a claim of one), or when others are trapped and cannot safely leave. The bill refers to the definition of "federal law enforcement officer" in another statute (section 115).
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The bill's findings say law enforcement face serious risks when executing duties, that barricading can escalate standoffs, prolong dangerous situations, divert resources, and increase the chance of serious injury or death. The findings state federal officers deserve full support and protection under federal law.
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