A Maryland police officer was found guilty Friday of civil disorder, assaulting police and other charges after he threw a smoke bomb at officers during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Justin Lee, 26, took a smoke bomb from another rioter, pulled the pin, and threw it in the direction of Capitol police stationed in a tunnel that connects to the Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden heard two days of trial testimony before finding Lee guilty of two felonies and three misdemeanors. During his testimony, Lee told McFadden he was “trying to make a statement” about police brutality when he threw the smoke bomb.
McFadden said he believed Lee went to the Capitol that day to disrupt Congress’ certification of President Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
An officer who protected the Capitol during the attack testified at Lee’s trial that the smoke bomb made him feel disoriented and like a “sitting duck.” The officer said he fell and had to flee as Lee threw other objects into the tunnel.
“No police officer should have to endure these attacks and provocations,” McFadden said, per the AP.
Prosecutors said Lee also waved at other Trump supporters to join the mob in overtaking police on the West Plaza.
Six months after the attack in July 2021, Lee became a Montgomery County police officer. After his arrest in October, Lee was suspended without pay. The department told the AP in a statement that officials will be “moving ahead with termination procedures” now that Lee has been convicted.
Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 22.
