Today, a former Montgomery County police officer, Justin Lee, was convicted for his participation in the January 6th Capitol insurrection. The conviction, handed down by Judge Trevor McFadden in a bench trial at the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, marks a closing chapter for the officer who had not served on the force since being involved in a fatal shooting on July 22, 2023. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, his termination follows the guilty verdict, in line with the state's law mandating removal from duty upon a conviction.
While serving on the Montgomery County police force, Lee was previously put on administrative leave. During an incident occurring before his tenure, involved in the shooting death of an armed individual, the Maryland Attorney General's office opted not to file charges after reviewing the case. This proves yet another controversy entangling Lee, whose actions during the insurrection happened before his hiring by the county.
The charges levied against Lee in October of 2023 included two felony counts directly tied to the chaos that ensued on January 6th, 2021, when crowds stormed the Capitol building. The former officer, already suspended from duty pending trial, now faces the stripping of his police powers, a consequence his department says aligns with its commitment to professionalism and accountability.
