WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury began deliberating Wednesday in a Justice Department assault case against a man who was assaulted by throwing a sandwich at a federal officer. symbol of resistance President Donald Trump’s response to the surge in law enforcement in the nation’s capital.
Prosecutors told jurors that Sean Charles Dunn violated the law when he threw a submarine sandwich at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer on the night of Aug. 10.
One of Dunn’s attorneys asked the jury to acquit the former Justice Department official of misdemeanor assault after a two-day trial. Defense attorney Sabrina Shroff questioned why the lawsuit was filed in the first place.
“He could not and certainly would not have caused any physical harm within a foot of the subway,” Shroff said in his closing argument. “Throwing a sandwich is not an enforcement violation.”
Prosecutors with U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office said Dunn knew he had no right to throw the sandwich at the prosecutor.
“This is not a case about someone with strong opinions,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiLorenzo. “This is about someone who crossed the line.”
Dunn did not testify at trial. But the jury heard President Trump explain why he confronted a group of CBP agents on the same weekend he announced the deployment of hundreds of National Guard and federal agents to support police patrols in Washington, D.C.
After his arrest, he was captured on a law enforcement officer’s body camera saying, “I did it. I threw the sandwich. I did it to get them out of there. I was successful.”
grand jury refused to prosecute Dunn was charged with felony assault; pattern of repulsion Opposes the Justice Department’s prosecution of surge-related criminal cases. Following an unusual reprimand from a grand jury, Mr. Pirro’s office instead charged Mr. Dunn with misdemeanor battery.
When Dunn approached a group of CBP officers outside a club hosting a “Latin Night,” he called them “fascists” and “racists,” and shouted “shame” at them. Surveillance video captured Dunn throwing a sandwich at the agent’s chest.
“Why are you here? I don’t want you in my town!” Dunn yelled, police said.
Dunn ran away but was arrested. DiLorenzo said the investigators who confronted Dunn showed “the utmost restraint.”
“He spent seven minutes chasing them out of that corner,” the prosecutor said.
CBP agent Gregory Laremore testified that the sandwich “exploded” against his chest so much so that he could feel it through his bulletproof vest.
“It smelled of onions and mustard,” he recalled.
Mr. Reamore’s colleagues gave him joking gifts making light of the incident, including a sandwich-shaped stuffed animal and a patch that read “Felony Footlong.” Mr. Reamore admitted that he had kept the gift and placed the patch on his lunch box.
“If someone assaulted you or someone made you angry, would you keep mementos of that assault?” Shroff asked jurors. “Of course not.”
Dunn was released from custody but was rearrested when a team of armed federal agents in riot gear raided his home. Dunn’s lawyers say the White House posted an elaborately produced “propaganda” video of the raid on its official X account.
Dunn worked as an international affairs specialist in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. After Dunn’s arrest, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his firing, calling him “an example of the deep state” in a social media post.
His lawyers urged the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that it was a vindictive and selective prosecution. they argued Bondi and the White House claimed the posts showed Dunn was targeted for political speech.
Dunn is charged with assault, resisting, resisting, obstructing, threatening and obstructing a federal officer. Dozens of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol in the Jan. 6 attack were convicted of felonies for assault and obstructing police. President Trump either pardoned them or ordered their charges dropped.
