Former Washington Police Officer Sentenced for Obstructing Justice and Lying to Investigators
A former intelligence officer in the Washington police force, Lt. Shane Lamond, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for obstructing justice and lying to investigators about his relationship with Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right group. The federal judge, Amy Berman Jackson, found Mr. Lamond guilty of leaking details to Mr. Tarrio about an investigation into his burning of a Black Lives Matter banner during a protest in Washington. Mr. Lamond's actions were deemed unauthorized and detrimental to his police department colleagues.
During the trial, Mr. Lamond's lawyers argued that he had communicated with Mr. Tarrio to gather information and build rapport. They requested probation for Mr. Lamond, citing his role in providing information that led to Mr. Tarrio's successful prosecution. However, prosecutors pushed for a four-year sentence, accusing Mr. Lamond of using his position for personal gain and lying about his relationship with Mr. Tarrio.
Despite the defense's arguments, Mr. Lamond was sentenced to 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice and six months for making false statements, to be served concurrently. Mr. Tarrio, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his involvement in the Capitol assault, received a 22-year prison sentence. President Trump granted Mr. Tarrio a full pardon and clemency to others charged in connection with the riot upon his return to office.
At the sentencing, Mr. Tarrio called for intervention from the president and the Justice Department to address what he perceived as an injustice. Additionally, members of the Proud Boys convicted in relation to the riot filed a $100 million lawsuit against the government.