An ex-Washington, DC, cop was convicted Monday of attempting to cowl up leaking confidential data to ex-Proud Boys chief Henry “Enrique” Tarrio forward of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in 2021.
Federal Decide Amy Berman Jackson discovered former Metropolitan Police Division Lt. Shane Lamond responsible of all 4 counts of obstructing justice and making false statements after a seven-day bench trial.
Lamond, 48, of Colonial Seaside, Va., is slated to be sentenced April 3 and faces as much as 45 years behind bars, although he’s prone to get a far lighter penalty underneath federal sentencing pointers, which might take into consideration the truth that he has no prior arrests.
The feds mentioned Lamond labored as a “double agent,” feeding then-Proud Boys nationwide Chairman Tarrio a tip in regards to the truth legislation enforcement had a warrant for his arrest for allegedly beforehand burning a Black Lives Matter banner. He additionally allegedly gave Tarrio “real-time updates” in regards to the probe.
Lamond testified in his personal protection, claiming he by no means gave Tarrio — whom he met in 2019 — confidential details about the investigation..
Tarrio corroborated these claims when he testified he by no means informed Lamond about burning the banner and that Lamond by no means gave him delicate police intel.
However Jackson ripped the testimony of each males, calling Tarrio an “terrible witness,” including he acted “flippant, grandiose and obnoxious” whereas on the stand.
The decide mentioned that proof, together with the pair’s message exchanges for months, proved that they’d speak after which “Tarrio instantly disseminates what he learns.”
Lamond’s lawyer, Mark Schamel, mentioned he and his consumer have but to determine whether or not to enchantment the ruling however added that it’s “unbelievably disappointing” that Lamond’s actions have been considered “by a lens to make it look like one thing apart from it was.
“There may be nothing disloyal about him in any respect, and it’s a tragic day for him,” the lawyer mentioned in statements to the press outdoors courtroom after the decision.
Tarrio had pleaded responsible to burning the BLM banner, which was stolen from a historic black church in downtown DC on Dec. 12, 2020.
He was later sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for his half within the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Lamond, underneath the intelligence department within the division’s Homeland Safety Bureau, was in control of watching extremist teams such because the Proud Boys after they got here into the nation’s capitol. He retired after 23 years of service within the pressure in Might 2023.
Along with allegedly giving Tarrio warning about his arrest for the BLM banner, he additionally messaged with Tarrio after Jan. 6 about whether or not the group can be prosecuted.
“In fact I can’t say it formally, however personally I help you all and don’t wish to see your group’s identify and popularity dragged by the mud,” the previous cop wrote.
Nonetheless, Lamond mentioned he was upset by prosecutor’s claims he backed the group, testifying at trial: “I don’t help the Proud Boys, and I’m not a Proud Boys sympathizer.”
He claimed that he stored a pleasant rapport with Tarrio to realize his belief and keep him as a supply — not as a result of he was a buddy.
With Publish wires
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