Montgomery County police officer found guilty for involvement in Jan. 6 insurrection

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — A Montgomery County police officer was found guilty of his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection in D.C., when officials say he threw a smoke bomb at outnumbered police officers.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) in D.C. said in a news release Friday that Justin Lee, 25, was convicted of two felony offenses. The Associated Press reported that Lee lit and threw the smoke bomb at a group of police officers, hitting one of the officers’ riot shields and filling the area with smoke.

Investigators identified Lee after reviewing video from the archway leading to the Lower West Exterior Door of the Capitol. The USAO said that this area — also referred to as the “Tunnel” — was “the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement” during the insurrection.

Lee, a Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) officer, was indicted on Oct. 2023 and charged with two felony counts.

At that time, he was on administrative leave after he shot and killed an armed suspect on July 22, 2023. MCPD said that the Maryland Attorney General’s office did not pursue any charges against Lee in that incident.

MCPD said that Lee had not performed any police duties since he was placed on leave after that shooting. During the case, he was relieved of police powers; and following his indictment, Lee is no longer an MCPD employee.

Lee’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 22.

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