A Maryland police department has suspended one of its officers for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol six months before he applied to join the department.
The Montgomery County Police Department said Thursday that Officer Justin Lee, 25, was already on standard leave following the shooting death of an armed suspect on July 22. That same month, the FBI informed the department that Lee was the subject of an investigation.
"Upon investigation, it was determined that Lee participated in the January 6 insurrection prior to being hired as a Montgomery County Police Officer," the department said in a Thursday press release.
Lee had applied to join in July 2021, around six months after the riot in Washington D.C., which saw hundreds of protestors storm the Capitol building over false claims surrounding the 2020 election.
MCPD said a "thorough background investigation" was conducted, and that the department did not find any connection between Lee and insurrection at that time, as the Department of Justice did not list him as a suspect.
He was officially hired in January 2022.
Now, the DOJ said Lee faces seven charges, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. He also allegedly made his way into the Capitol and engaged in "disruptive conduct, physical violence, and disorderly conduct," the complaint against him said.
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Following his arrest, Lee was suspended from MCPD without pay, and the department is seeking to terminate his employment.
"MCPD takes these matters seriously and is dedicated to taking decisive action when necessary," the statement continued. "As a result, we are initiating a comprehensive review of our background investigation process to determine whether adjustments need to be made."
The DOJ said that in the 33 months since the attack on the Capitol, more than 1,100 people have been charged. It identified Lee after his alleged photo from the riot appeared on the FBI's Most Wanted list.
Along with protestors, a former Michigan candidate for governor was sentenced this week over his involvement, while former President Donald Trump faces his own charges in a trial set for March 2024.