A retired police officer in Washington, D.C., was found guilty by US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of obstructing justice and making false statements. The former Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Lamond was convicted on all four counts after a trial without a jury. Sentencing is scheduled for April 3.
Lamond was charged with leaking confidential information to then-Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio, who was under investigation for burning a Black Lives Matter banner. Despite Lamond's denial of providing sensitive police information to Tarrio, the judge found evidence indicating otherwise.
Judge Jackson highlighted a pattern of communication between Lamond and Tarrio, where information was shared and disseminated. Tarrio, described as an 'awful witness' by the judge, eventually pleaded guilty to burning the stolen banner and was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Lamond, who supervised the intelligence branch of the police department's Homeland Security Bureau, had met Tarrio in 2019. Prosecutors presented evidence that Lamond tipped off Tarrio about an arrest warrant and provided updates on the police investigation into the banner burning.
During the trial, Lamond expressed disappointment at being labeled a Proud Boys sympathizer and denied supporting the group. He claimed to view Tarrio as a source rather than a friend, aiming to build rapport to gain trust.
The Justice Department prosecutor pointed to messages suggesting Lamond's provision of real-time updates to Tarrio. Lamond, who retired in May 2023 after 23 years of service, faced charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements.
