Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Courthouse Security Officers

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Sarasota, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of assaulting federal officers, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Steven M. Seitz pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on July 9, 2024, Seitz entered the Joseph F. Weis Jr. U.S. Courthouse in downtown Pittsburgh looking for the Central Intelligence Agency and refused several requests from Courthouse Security Officers to leave the building. When officers attempted to escort Seitz from the building, Seitz unlawfully and forcibly assaulted, resisted, and opposed the officers, which resulted in bodily injuries to at least two of the officers.

Judge Coville scheduled Seitz’s sentencing for July 10, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Seitz remains detained pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Protective Service and United States Marshals Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Seitz.