Woman who drove van into White House barrier had a gun, DC police say

Secret Service officers stand on the North Lawn of the White House after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Secret Service officers stand on the North Lawn of the White House after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A Secret Service officer rushes past reporters after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A Secret Service officer rushes past reporters after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
17th Street NW near the White House in Washington is closed as Secret Service officer after a vehicle rammed into a security barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
17th Street NW near the White House in Washington is closed as Secret Service officer after a vehicle rammed into a security barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Secret Service officers stand on the North Lawn of the White House after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
A Secret Service officer rushes past reporters after a vehicle rammed a barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
17th Street NW near the White House in Washington is closed as Secret Service officer after a vehicle rammed into a security barrier near the White House, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

WASHINGTON — A Tennessee woman was in D.C. police custody Friday evening after authorities say she drove a van into a security barrier while armed with a pistol.

And according to the Secret Service, this isn’t the first time she’s tried to gain entry onto White House grounds.

Jessica Ford, 35, of La Vergne, Tenn., faces several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon; unlawful possession of a firearm; assault on a police officer; and destroying government property.

The incident happened on 17th and E streets Northwest just before 3 p.m., according to D.C. police. Ford allegedly drove the van into the barrier, then tried to accelerate through it. Officers eventually wrestled the gun from Ford’s hand, police said, and then pulled Ford herself out from the van through the driver’s-side window.

No shots were fired.

The investigation closed 17th Street NW between C and F streets Friday evening.

The woman has encountered the Secret Service near the White House on multiple occasions, which has resulted in numerous arrests for a variety of criminal violations.

According to D.C. Superior Court records, for instance, a Jessica R. Ford was charged with unlawful entry on April 17. She was sentenced to a year’s probation; told to stay away from the White House complex; and ordered to undergo a mental health screening Sept. 7.

WTOP’s Rob Woodfork contributed to this report.

Jack Pointer

Jack contributes to WTOP.com when he's not working as the afternoon/evening radio writer.

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