Trump DOJ hangs MAGA ex-cop out to dry who leaked probe to Proud Boys leader: report
The Trump Justice Department left a MAGA ex-cop to face his prison sentence after he leaked intel to a Proud Boys leader, per a court filing.
According to a court brief published by Politico's Kyle Cheney, the DOJ agreed with the conviction of Shane Lamond, a former D.C. cop who leaked internal information about an investigation into Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Lamond told Tarrio about the Metropolitan Police Department's probe as it was unfolding, the brief detailed.
"Lamond told Tarrio about the investigation's status, MPD's internal deliberations, the FBI's involvement, that an arrest warrant was likely forthcoming, and that the warrant had been signed," the brief reads. "Lamond used Telegram to communicate with Tarrio, knowing that Telegram's encryption would make it harder for the communications to be intercepted."
The police investigation was looking into Tarrio's burning of a Black Lives Matter banner in December 2020. Lamond ran the department's intelligence branch and tipped Tarrio off that an arrest warrant was coming. The information allowed Tarrio to arrive in Washington, D.C. "early so that, if arrested, he would be released in time to participate in inauguration-related protests."
The DOJ's brief argued that the court "did not err" in convicting Lamond for obstruction of the investigation, and "Lamond's conviction should be affirmed." The brief was filed in response to Lamond's appeal of his 2024 conviction.
"The evidence showed that Lamond acted corruptly," the DOJ wrote. "He repeatedly leaked information that advantaged Tarrio and risked impeding the investigation and prosecution."
The brief also challenges claims in Lamond's appeal, saying, "Lamond strains credulity by claiming that he was simply cultivating a relationship with Tarrio."
Lamond was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration to be followed by 18 months of supervised release, according to the brief.