A Montgomery County police officer was found guilty today by a U.S. Circuit Court judge in Washington, D.C. of charges stemming from the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Officer Justin Lee, 25, of Rockville, was found guilty of two felony offenses: assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and civil disorder. Judge Trevor N. McFadden also found Lee guilty of the misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. Lee will be sentenced by Judge McFadden on November 22, 2024.
The Montgomery County Police Department issued a statement today in which it said that Lee was not yet employed by the County police force on January 6, 2021. It stated Lee's actions at the Capitol did not come to light through its standard background investigation when Lee was hired. Lee was relieved of his police powers while the case went to trial. The MCPD stated that Lee's employment by the department will now be terminated following today's guilty verdict.
Lee was identified in 2023 by law enforcement officials who were reviewing video footage from the Capitol on January 6, 2021 after they first noticed his Maryland flag gaiter. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia specifically accused Lee of throwing two objects at officers who were trying to prevent people from entering the Capitol. One incendiary device produced a smoke cloud. Lee was also accused of pointing a flashlight beam at officers.
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