Shane Lamond, the former head of the Metropolitan Police Department’s intelligence unit in Washington, was found guilty Monday on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators.
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson delivered the verdict following a bench trial.
Lamond was convicted of one count of obstruction of justice and three counts of making false statements to investigators. Prosecutors argued that Lamond provided sensitive law enforcement information to Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far-right extremist group Proud Boys. Tarrio is serving a 22-year sentence after being convicted of seditious conspiracy in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lamond and Tarrio communicated regularly via Telegram from at least July 2019 to January 2021. Prosecutors alleged that Lamond shared confidential details about investigations and law enforcement activities, including a police probe into the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner during a Dec. 12, 2020, protest in Washington, D.C. Tarrio later pleaded guilty to destroying the banner.
Court records show that on Jan. 4, 2021, Lamond informed Tarrio about an arrest warrant related to the banner burning while Tarrio was on a flight to the District of Columbia. Tarrio was arrested upon his arrival and subsequently admitted to the property destruction charge.
During the trial, Tarrio testified that he had misled members of the Proud Boys about having an insider within law enforcement. However, encrypted messages exchanged between Lamond and Tarrio revealed that Lamond had shared sensitive information, contradicting Tarrio’s claims.
Federal investigators also accused Lamond of lying during a June 2021 interview about his communications with Tarrio. They stated that Lamond misrepresented the methods of their communication, denied providing Tarrio with sensitive information, and minimized the scope of their relationship.
The obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison, while each false statement charge carries a maximum of five years. Sentencing guidelines will determine Lamond’s punishment.
“This case underscores the importance of integrity in law enforcement and holding those who violate the law accountable,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office said following the verdict.
