Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Maryland Police Officer Arrested and Suspended for Involvement in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot

Officer Justin Lee, hired in January 2022, now faces seven charges related to the Capitol attack, including two felonies, highlighting potential flaws in police department's background check process.

Overview

  • Justin Lee, a Maryland police officer, has been arrested for allegedly participating in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, despite being hired by the Montgomery County Police Department a year later.
  • Lee faces seven charges following his alleged involvement in the attack, including two felony counts for civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
  • The charges against Lee have led to his suspension without pay from the department, with steps being taken to terminate his employment.
  • Since his arrest, the Montgomery County Police Department has initiated a review of its background check process, given Lee's alleged involvement in the attack wasn't discovered during recruitment.
  • Prior to his arrest for the Capitol riot charges, Lee had been on administrative leave for his role in the shooting death of an armed suspect at a shopping mall in July 2023.