Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against a former Justice Department employee accused of throwing a sandwich at a federal law enforcement officer in Washington, D.C., a source familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Sean Charles Dunn was arrested on assault charges after a video of him throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent went viral. Dunn, who worked as an international affairs specialist in the Justice Department’s criminal division, was fired shortly after his arrest.
“If you touch a law enforcement officer, we will prosecute you,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said on “X” earlier this month. “I just learned this defendant worked for the Department of Justice, and he’s no longer there. Not only was he fired, but he’s been charged with a crime.” This is an example of the deep state we’ve been facing for the past seven months as we seek to refocus the Justice Department.”
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for comment. Significance
This rare grand jury refusal highlights growing legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s increased crackdown in the nation’s capital.
Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced that Dunn would be charged with assaulting a police officer, just days after Trump announced the placing of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department under federal control.
In an executive order, Trump declared that “crime is out of control in the District of Columbia,” despite police statistics showing a 27 percent decline in violent crime in the city compared to the same period last year.
What To Know
In a video posted to X, Piro said a person approached a federal law enforcement officer and “started jumping up and down and yelling at him, swearing at him, and screaming at him.”
Piro said he threw a sandwich at the officer.
“He thought it was funny,” Piro said. “Well, he doesn’t think it’s funny now, because we charged him with assaulting a police officer.”
A criminal complaint alleges that Dunn yelled, “Fuck you! You fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!” at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
Dunn allegedly said, “I did it. I threw a sandwich,” when he was taken into custody at the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third Precinct, according to the complaint.
He was initially released, then rearrested by federal agents.
A grand jury decides, in closed sessions, whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with an indictment.
What People Are Saying
Attorney General Pam Bondi, on X: “You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, on X: “Assault a law enforcement officer, and you’ll be prosecuted.”
What Happens Next
Prosecutors may attempt to reindict Dunn.