D.C. Man Charged After Throwing Sandwich at Federal Agent

A man in Washington D.C., identified as Sean Charles Dunn, faces a misdemeanor charge after throwing a sandwich at a federal agent. The incident, which was captured on video, led to the decision by prosecutors not to pursue a felony indictment following a grand jury’s refusal to bring charges. Court documents filed on Thursday outline the situation that has drawn significant attention from both local and national sources.

The case is notable within the context of the Trump administration, which has emphasized its commitment to prosecuting violence against law enforcement. Dunn’s actions occurred shortly after former President Donald Trump issued an order on August 11, 2023, deploying federal agents and troops to Washington D.C. The White House had previously highlighted Dunn’s case through a dramatic social media video showcasing his arrest.

Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington, had touted the initial felony assault charge in a video statement, asserting, “So there, stick your subway sandwich somewhere else.” The misdemeanor charge of simple assault, which Dunn now faces, could result in a maximum of one year in prison. This contrasts sharply with the felony assault charge, which could have led to up to eight years of incarceration.

Dunn reportedly confronted the federal agent while expressing his discontent, shouting, “Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!” Police stated that he also pointed a finger in the agent’s face and used profanity. Following the incident, Dunn attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended.

Initial reports indicated that Dunn had been employed as an international affairs specialist within the Justice Department’s criminal division. However, he was promptly terminated by Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, after the incident came to light.

The decision by the grand jury not to return an indictment is particularly noteworthy. It is a rare occurrence, as the saying goes that prosecutors could convince a grand jury to “indict a ham sandwich.” This reflects a growing frustration among residents regarding law enforcement practices, particularly as several grand juries in Washington have recently opted against indicting individuals in cases that would typically be processed in local courts.

In a separate case, prosecutors acknowledged that three grand juries had declined to indict Sydney Lori Reid, who was accused of assaulting an FBI agent outside a city jail in July. This incident occurred while she filmed the transfer of inmates to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Following the grand jury’s decision, prosecutors are now pursuing a misdemeanor assault charge against Reid as well.

The developments surrounding Dunn’s case serve as a reflection of the current climate in Washington D.C., particularly regarding interactions between citizens and law enforcement. With ongoing scrutiny of federal operations in the city, these cases underscore the complexities and challenges faced by prosecutors as they navigate the legal landscape.