Former DC police lieutenant Shane Lamond, convicted for leaking information to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, faces sentencing in April.
Former DC Police Lieutenant Convicted in Leak Case
Shane Lamond, a former lieutenant with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C., has been convicted of obstructing an investigation and leaking sensitive information to Enrique Tarrio, the former national chair of the Proud Boys. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson found Lamond guilty of one count of obstructing justice and three counts of making false statements to federal law enforcement.
Ex-D.C. police officer Shane Lamond convicted of lying about leaks to the Proud Boys leaderhttps://t.co/IX8g0wboX0 pic.twitter.com/6Sjqo829HX
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 24, 2024
Lamond, the MPD’s Homeland Security Bureau’s Intelligence Branch supervisor, began communicating with Tarrio in July 2019. The prosecution alleged that after the 2020 election, Lamond used Telegram’s messaging app to secretly inform Tarrio about law enforcement activities concerning the Proud Boys.
A retired Washington, D.C., police officer was convicted Monday of lying to authorities about leaking confidential information to the leader of the far-right Proud Boys. https://t.co/IBBjSbJh7F
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 23, 2024
Former DC police officer convicted over leaks to Proud Boys leader https://t.co/pJuJ3RxEfF
— The Hill (@thehill) December 23, 2024
Breach of Trust and Misuse of Position
U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves emphasized the severity of Lamond’s actions, stating that the former officer had fundamentally misused his position. Instead of gathering intelligence to protect the community, Lamond provided confidential information to Tarrio, compromising ongoing investigations and public safety.
“As proven at trial, Lamond turned his job on its head—providing confidential information to a source rather than getting information from him—lied about the conduct and obstructed an investigation into the source.”
One of the key charges against Lamond involved tipping off Tarrio about a warrant for his arrest. This warrant was related to the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner, an incident that had heightened tensions in the city. By alerting Tarrio to the impending arrest, Lamond not only obstructed justice but also undermined the efforts of his fellow law enforcement officers.
Trial Testimony and Evidence
During the trial, both Lamond and Tarrio took the stand. Lamond denied sharing sensitive information, while Tarrio supported his defense. However, Judge Jackson noted that the evidence suggested Lamond was not using Tarrio as a source after December 2020, but rather, the opposite was occurring. The judge also criticized Tarrio’s testimony, describing him as a poor witness.
“The intelligence gathering role that Lamond was supposed to play is critical to keeping our community safe. His violation of the trust placed in him put our community more at risk and cannot be ignored.”
Lamond’s conviction comes in the wake of Enrique Tarrio’s legal troubles. Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the events leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot, one of the longest sentences handed down in connection with that day’s events.
Implications and Sentencing
The conviction of Shane Lamond serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity within law enforcement ranks. His actions not only betrayed the trust of his department but also potentially endangered public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement operations. As the community grapples with the implications of this case, attention now turns to the sentencing phase.
Lamond’s sentencing is scheduled for April 3, 2024. The severity of his sentence will likely reflect the gravity of his offenses and their potential impact on public trust in law enforcement. This case underscores the ongoing challenges police departments face in maintaining internal security and the critical nature of intelligence roles in safeguarding communities.