Man Faces Federal Assault Charges After Throwing Sandwich at Officer in Washington D.C.

A 37-year-old man has been charged with assaulting a federal officer after reportedly throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent during a patrol in Washington D.C.

Authorities stated that the incident occurred on Sunday evening, a day prior to the announcement that federal forces would temporarily assume control of the city’s police operations, accompanied by the deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents.

The confrontation was recorded on video, showing the man shouting insults such as "fascists" at a group of officers near the intersection of 14th and U Streets Northwest, a vibrant area known for its bars and restaurants.

As the encounter progressed, the man advanced toward the officers, warning them to retreat while continuing his verbal tirade.

After several minutes of shouting, the video captures the man throwing a sub-style sandwich directly at the chest of one of the officers before fleeing into the street, prompting a pursuit by law enforcement.

Transit police detective Daina Henry submitted screenshots from the video as evidence in the criminal complaint.

Following his arrest, the suspect, identified as Sean C. Dunn, admitted to the act, reportedly telling authorities, "I did it. I threw the sandwich."

Court documents have yet to list legal representation for Mr. Dunn or provide details on upcoming hearings. The transit authority confirmed that he has been released pending a future court date.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, which can extend up to eight years if the assault involved physical contact or was intended to facilitate another felony.

The officer hit by the sandwich did not appear to sustain any injuries and immediately joined in the pursuit of the suspect.

The incident has sparked debate, highlighting divisions within the city over the presence of federal law enforcement amid heightened tensions, with some viewing the act as a protest against federal intervention and others condemning it as disrespectful to law enforcement personnel.

The case is being prosecuted in the U.S. District Court in Washington, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. attorney’s office.

In an online video statement, the U.S. attorney noted that the sandwich was from Subway, confirming earlier speculation supported by images of a wrapper found at the scene.

She added that while the defendant initially appeared to find the act humorous, the charges now filed against him reflect the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the offense.