MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD – The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) has suspended Officer Justin Lee without pay, following his indictment for involvement in the January 6 insurrection. This revelation came after MCPD was informed in July 2023 about the FBI investigation concerning Lee.
Before this suspension, Lee was already on administrative leave due to his involvement in the shooting of an armed suspect on July 22. The Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division is scrutinizing this incident to ensure a fair analysis of the facts.
Since the July 22 shooting, Lee has not been performing his police duties. His current suspension stems directly from his arrest related to the January 6 insurrection.
Investigations revealed that Lee partook in the January 6 insurrection before joining MCPD. He submitted his employment application in July 2021, six months post the insurrection, and was officially hired on January 31, 2022.
Though MCPD conducts robust background checks for potential hires, Lee’s involvement in the January 6 events went undetected as he wasn’t identified by the Justice Department at that time.
Now, with Lee’s arrest, he has been suspended without pay and MCPD is in the process of terminating his employment. This has also triggered a thorough review of MCPD’s background investigation procedures to identify any necessary amendments.
MCPD reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest levels of professionalism, accountability, and integrity. Despite the actions of one, the department emphasized that it doesn’t reflect the collective ethos of MCPD, and they will continue to ensure their officers align with the values serving the best interests of Montgomery County residents.