Naked Man Found in Senate President's Chair, Charges Filed

A Man Charged After a Security Breach at the Minnesota State Capitol

A man has been charged following a security breach at the Minnesota State Capitol over the weekend. The individual, identified as Dominic Terell Peace, was found sitting naked in the Senate president's chair, sparking a series of events that led to his arrest and legal consequences.

The Incident Unfolds

The incident began late Friday night when an alarm was triggered at the capitol. Security personnel discovered Peace, who was described as "naked and nonviolent," inside the building. Officials stated that he required a mental health evaluation. He was taken to Regions Hospital for assessment and later released. However, Peace returned to the capitol grounds early Saturday morning and was discovered around 7:30 a.m. He was once again taken to the hospital and released. His third appearance at the capitol resulted in his arrest on a warrant from Wisconsin.

Calls for Security Review

This breach occurred just weeks after two Minnesota lawmakers were shot at their homes. In response, House and Senate leaders have called for a comprehensive review of the capitol’s security systems. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will announce a third-party review of the measures already implemented to enhance safety at the site.

New Details Emerge from Charges

On Tuesday, Dominic Terell Peace was formally charged with burglary for the breach. According to the criminal complaint, Peace was found in the Senate chamber, seated in the Senate president's chair, holding an envelope. When questioned about its contents, he claimed it contained money. He also told guards that he was the governor and asked why he always saw new people at the capitol.

Peace reportedly told officers that the capitol was his home and that he had lived there all his life. When asked about his missing clothes, he said they were in an upstairs closet. Later, troopers found his clothes in the women’s restroom, and it appeared he had bathed there.

Timeline of Events

Security footage showed Peace inside the capitol shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday, when the building was open to the public. He was seen carrying a wedge and then briefly without it. Authorities believe he used the wedge to prop open an exterior door, allowing him to re-enter the building later that evening.

Peace returned to the capitol around 9:45 p.m. on Friday, wearing the clothes that were later found in the women’s restroom. He spent approximately 40 minutes in the restroom before emerging naked. From there, he walked upstairs to the second floor of the capitol.

Strange Statements from the Accused

During his interaction with law enforcement, Peace made several unusual claims. He alleged that he used a helicopter to reach the top of the capitol and climbed a ladder down to the “living part” of the building. He also claimed to have woken up in “his daddy’s chair.” According to the charges, Peace stated that Jesus was his father and Mary was his mother.

Additionally, he claimed that a secret organization meets and makes decisions about the world in the lower part of the capitol. These statements raised concerns about his mental state and contributed to the decision to seek a mental health evaluation.

Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the full extent of Peace’s actions and motivations. The case highlights the importance of maintaining strong security protocols at sensitive locations like the Minnesota State Capitol. With the recent security breach and the ongoing legal proceedings, officials are under increased pressure to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.