U.S. Capitol Police Officer Thomas Smith has been indicted by a
federal grand jury on charges of violating a man’s civil rights and for
obstructing justice. Smith, 44, is expected to be arraigned on these
charges in the District of Columbia within the next week.
The indictment alleges that on June 20, 2020, Smith drove his police
vehicle in a reckless and dangerous manner and was deliberately
indifferent to the risk of harm he created, which resulted in Smith
crashing his car into the victim and injuring him. Smith then knowingly
drove away from the scene of the crash without rendering aid, alerting
medical authorities, and taking any other reasonable steps to obtain
help for the victim. Following the crash, Smith falsified U.S. Capitol
Police records to cover-up his misconduct.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s
Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of
Columbia and Assistant Director in Charge Steven M. D’Antuono of the
FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement. The case is being
investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and is being prosecuted
by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs. Assistance in the investigation
was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police
Department.