According to prosecutors’ opening remarks at his trial on Monday, a police officer in Washington, D.C., acted as a double agent prior to the Capitol incident on January 6 and once warned the leader of the Proud Boys that he would be arrested for burning a Black Lives Matter flag.
According to prosecutors, Lt. Shane Lamond, a former member of the D.C. Metro Police Department, also kept in constant touch with Henry Enrique Tarrio, the head of the Proud Boys, prior to the Jan. 6 incident that interfered with Joe Biden’s certification as the 2020 presidential winner.
Lamond faces three accusations of lying to police about his conversations with Tarrio, who is presently serving a 22-year jail sentence for orchestrating the incident, and obstructing justice. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson will hear Lamond’s bench trial on the charges.
The Washington Post claims that Berman was informed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein that Lamond lied to investigators after giving a criminal suspect vital police information. The defendant’s support for the Proud Boys will be proven by the evidence. The accused turned into a double agent.
The March 2023 indictment states that when Lamond and Tarrio started routinely communicating via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, Lamond was in charge of MPD’s intelligence division, which kept an eye on upcoming demonstrations and meetings in D.C.
According to reports, Lamond texted Tarrio, “Hey brother, terrible news today,” following Joe Biden’s election as the 2020 presidential winner. Do you guys have any plans? Additionally, Lamond allegedly told Tarrio that the police had heard the Proud Boys talking about organizing and retaking the nation. Additionally, Lamond allegedly told Tarrio that police were thinking of closing a pub that was frequented by the Proud Boys.
Associated coverage:
On December 12, 2020, Tarrio organized a gathering with the Proud Boys. Tarrio grabbed a Black Lives Matter flag that evening, set it on fire, and then boasted about it on social media. According to the prosecution, Tarrio and Lamond spoke about the investigation and kept in touch after the incident.
Tarrio allegedly disclosed his contact with MPD to other members of the Proud Boys. According to the police, Lamond informed Tarrio that they were attempting to obtain an arrest warrant.
On January 4, 2021, Lamond allegedly changed his Telegram settings to delete messages 10 seconds after they were opened while Tarrio was traveling from Florida to Washington, D.C. The now-disgraced police officer allegedly told the leader of the Proud Boys that he had been arrested and would be arrested once he arrived in D.C., according to the prosecution. Authorities claim that before and after the rioting on January 6, Lamond sent Tarrio a message regarding the police investigation.
“Of course I can’t say it officially, but personally I support you all and don’t want to see your group’s reputation dragged through the mud,” Lamond reportedly told Tarrio.
The US Attorney’s Office began looking into Lamond’s connection to the Proud Boys in June 2021. Lamond denied providing Tarrio with sensitive information concerning the banner burning investigation, according to the prosecution, and lied about his conversations with him.
Ana Jara, Lamond’s lawyer, said during Monday’s opening statements that it is untrue to call her client a supporter of the Proud Boys and that prosecutors selectively selected messages between him and Tarrio. She clarified that Lamond was just acting as a law enforcement officer and working a source.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.