By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Related Press
WASHINGTON — A former Justice Division worker who threw a sandwich at a federal agent throughout President Donald Trump’s regulation enforcement surge in Washington was discovered not responsible of assault on Thursday within the newest authorized rebuke of the federal intervention.
A viral video of the sandwich tossing made Sean Charles Dunn an emblem of resistance to Trump’s deployment of federal brokers to fight crime within the nation’s capital. His misdemeanor acquittal is one other setback for prosecutors, who’ve confronted a backlash for the way they’ve dealt with legal instances ensuing from the regulation enforcement surge.
There was no dispute over whether or not Dunn threw the sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Safety agent on the evening of Aug. 10. However his attorneys argued it was a “innocent gesture” throughout an act of protest protected by the First Modification.
Prosecutors stated Dunn knew he didn’t have a proper to throw the sandwich on the agent.
Dunn hugged his attorneys after the foreperson learn the decision. Later, he stated, “I’m relieved and I’m wanting ahead to shifting on with my life.”
A grand jury refused to indict Dunn on a felony assault rely, a part of a sample of pushback in opposition to the Justice Division’s prosecution of surge-related legal instances. After the uncommon rebuke from the grand jury, the workplace of U.S. Lawyer Jeanine Pirro charged Dunn with a misdemeanor.
When Dunn approached a bunch of CBP brokers who had been in entrance of a membership internet hosting a “Latin Night time,” he referred to as them “fascists” and “racists” and chanted “disgrace” towards them. An observer’s video captured Dunn throwing a sandwich at an agent’s chest.
“Why are you right here? I don’t need you in my metropolis!” Dunn shouted, in accordance with police.
Dunn ran away however was apprehended. He was launched from custody however rearrested when armed federal brokers in riot gear raided his residence. The White Home posted a extremely produced “propaganda” video of the raid on its official X account, Dunn’s attorneys stated.
Dunn labored as a world affairs specialist within the Justice Division’s legal division. After Dunn’s arrest, Lawyer Common Pam Bondi introduced his firing in a social media put up that referred to him as “an instance of the Deep State.”
Dunn attorneys urged the choose to dismiss the case for what they alleged was a vindictive and selective prosecution. They argued that the posts by Bondi and the White Home present Dunn was impermissibly focused for his political speech.
