Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Sentenced for Violating a Citizen’s Civil Rights in 2020

           WASHINGTON – Thomas Smith, 47, a former United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 21 months in prison for violating an individual’s civil rights by recklessly engaging in a dangerous pursuit that resulted in a vehicular crash involving a motorist. 

           The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office.

           Smith pleaded guilty on October 18, 2023, to deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols ordered 24 months of supervised release, 40 hours of community service, and restitution of $4,455.

           “Thomas Smith abused his position of trust by engaging in a dangerous pursuit that could have been deadly – and made matters worse by obstructing the investigation into the collision he caused,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Most police officers uphold the oath they took upon becoming officers, but when police officers break that oath and violate the public trust they must be held accountable.”

            "Smith's actions violated his oath to protect and serve our communities and uphold the Constitution," said David Sundberg, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. "Today's sentence demonstrates the FBI's commitment to hold accountable those who misuse their power and deny the public their civil liberties."

            “This defendant recklessly pursued two motorcyclists, struck one of them with his car, left the victim unconscious on the asphalt, fled the scene and then switched out his cruiser and filed no report in an attempt to cover up his violent misconduct,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Endangering community members in this manner and disregarding the law violates the victims’ civil rights and erodes trust by those the police are sworn to protect and serve. The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute officials who engage in abuses of their authority, including federal law enforcement officers.”

           According to court documents, on the evening of June 20, 2020, Smith was on duty conducting security checks at the homes of members of Congress in Georgetown when he began pursuing two individuals riding motorized cycles. Though USCP policies prohibit vehicular pursuits outside of the Capitol grounds, except in emergencies and upon supervisory approval, Smith conducted the pursuit without seeking such approval. 

           While following the motorcyclists closely, but without his emergency lights on, Smith’s USCP cruiser struck one of the motorcyclists at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street, Northwest. The crash knocked the cyclist into the air before he hit the asphalt roadway. As the victim lay in the intersection unconscious, Smith drove his cruiser around the victim and left the scene of the collision. Contrary to USCP policies, Smith did not notify anyone of the incident, take any action to seek medical assistance for the victim or ensure that no further harm came to the victim as he lay on the road. Hours after the collision, Smith falsified several USCP records in an attempt to cover up the events related to the incident.

           The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case. This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Visser and Trial Attorneys Sanjay Patel and Laura-Kate Bernstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. Valuable assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs.

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