A retired police officer in Washington, D.C., was found guilty by U.S. 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 the 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 both men's testimonies not credible.
The evidence presented during the trial indicated a pattern of communication between Lamond and Tarrio, with Tarrio disseminating information immediately after their conversations. 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, 2021, Capitol riot.
Lamond, who supervised the intelligence branch of the police department's Homeland Security Bureau, had met Tarrio in 2019. Prosecutors argued that Lamond tipped off Tarrio about an arrest warrant and provided real-time updates on the police investigation related to the banner burning incident.
Lamond, who retired in May 2023 after 23 years of service, maintained that he was not a Proud Boys sympathizer and considered Tarrio a source rather than a friend. The defense attorney expressed disappointment with the verdict and hinted at a possible appeal.
The case sheds light on the complexities of law enforcement interactions with extremist groups and the consequences of breaching confidentiality and obstructing justice.
