Washington, D.C., police lieutenant Shane Lamond was arrested Friday after being indicted on one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements. The charges are related to Lamond's alleged communications with former Proud Boys chairman Henry “Enrique” Tarrio regarding a December 2020 pro-Trump rally in Washington, an investigation into the burning of a Black Lives Matter flag stolen from a historic African American church, and the subsequent events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
According to the indictment, Lamond began using Telegram as early as July 2020 to provide law enforcement information to Tarrio about ongoing investigations into his group's activities. This allegedly included updates on arrest warrants signed just days before January 6th.
After Tarrio burned a Black Lives Matter banner during unrest at a pro-Trump rally in December, Lamond is accused of obstructing the investigation by repeatedly providing insider information about its progress while lying about these contacts when questioned by federal investigators later.
Tarrio’s defense argued that his communications with Lamond showed that the Proud Boys did not conspire to commit violence and had shared their plans with law enforcement officials ahead of time.
The obstruction charge carries a maximum sentence of thirty years imprisonment while each count of making false statements could result in five-year sentences if convicted.
Lamond has been working as an officer for twenty-two years within Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) before being charged this week. His attorney released a statement earlier this year defending his client's actions claiming that they were "instrumental" in bringing Tarrio eventually under arrest.
Four leaders from Proud Boys were convicted earlier this month due to seditious conspiracy charges linked directly back towards their involvement during riots occurring at Capitol building on January 6th last year; however details surrounding those convictions and any potential connection to Lieutenant Lamond's case remain unclear.
The Metropolitan Police Department has announced that an internal review will take place following the resolution of the federal case against Lamond.