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Thomas Smith, 46, pleaded guilty this week to violating civil rights by "recklessly engaging in a dangerous pursuit and being deliberately indifferent to the danger he created."
According to court documents, on June 20, 2020, Smith was on duty conducting security checks at the homes of members of Congress in Georgetown when he began to pursue a pair riding motorized cycles, even though such pursuits are prohibited by the department outside Capitol grounds outside of certain exceptions.
While following the bikers closely, but without his lights and sirens on, Smith's police cruiser struck one of them at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street NW, knocking him into the air before he collapsed on the roadway.
Instead of providing aid, prosecutors say that Smith drove around the unconscious cyclist and left the scene of the collision, again violating US Capitol Police protocols and never notified anyone of the crash.
Hours later, Smith falsified multiple police records in an attempt to cover up the events surrounding the incident.
"Like all of our law enforcement partners, we know that the overwhelming majority of U.S. Capitol Police officers do their difficult and dangerous jobs honorably and lawfully,” US Attorney Matthew Graves said.
“But former officer Smith violated the Constitution and abused his position by recklessly engaging in a dangerous pursuit that resulted in an unnecessary collision that could have had devastating results.
Smith pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law, officials said. When he is sentenced in January next year, Smith will face up to 10 years in prison.
“A federal law enforcement officer who abuses his authority by engaging in reckless and obstructive conduct not only violates the law, but also public trust,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said.
“All police officials who deprive citizens of their civil rights will be held accountable," she continued. "We will aggressively prosecute any law enforcement officer who violates the most basic constitutional rights of our citizens.”
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