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Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Former Capitol Police officer sentenced for civil rights violation after crash

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Lisa O. Monaco Deputy Attorney General | Official Website

A former officer of the U.S. Capitol Police, Thomas Smith, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. The sentencing is related to a vehicular crash involving a motorcyclist in Washington, D.C., which led to Smith pleading guilty on October 18, 2023, to deprivation of rights under color of law.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division stated, “This defendant recklessly pursued two motorcyclists, struck one of them with his car, left the victim unconscious on the asphalt, fled the scene and then switched out his cruiser and filed no report in an attempt to cover up his violent misconduct.” She emphasized that such actions endanger community members and violate civil rights.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia commented on Smith's abuse of trust: “Thomas Smith abused his position of trust by engaging in a dangerous pursuit that could have been deadly – and made matters worse by obstructing the investigation into the collision he caused.” He noted that while most officers uphold their oath, those who break it must be held accountable.

David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, remarked on Smith's breach of duty: "Smith's actions violated his oath to protect and serve our communities and uphold the Constitution." He affirmed that today's sentence reflects the FBI's commitment to accountability for misuse of power.

Court documents reveal that on June 20, 2020, while conducting security checks at congressional residences in Georgetown, Washington D.C., Smith pursued two individuals on motorized cycles without activating emergency lights. His cruiser collided with one cyclist at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street Northwest. The impact left the cyclist unconscious as Smith drove away without reporting or seeking help for the victim. Later investigations revealed falsified USCP records by Smith regarding this incident.

The case was investigated by both the FBI and USCP with support from the Metropolitan Police Department. Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Visser prosecuted this case.

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