MD Police Officer Violated Man's Civil Rights During Traffic Stop: DOJ

WASHINGTON, DC — A former officer with the Fairmount Heights Police Department in Maryland was indicted by a federal grand jury this week after authorities said he pepper-sprayed a man during a traffic stop and lied on a report about why he did.

Philip Dupree, 38, was charged with violating the man's civil rights and obstruction of justice following the 2019 incident.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Dupree conducted a traffic stop in Washington, D.C. during the early morning hours of Aug. 4. Authorities said Dupree detained a man, identified only as T.S., and pepper sprayed him in what officials called an "unreasonable use of force."

According to officials, Dupree then submitted a probable cause statement containing false justification on why he used the pepper spray on T.S.

If convicted, Dupree faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for use of unreasonable force. The obstruction of justice charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.