Aug. 27 (UPI) — A federal grand jury declined to indict a fired Department of Justice paralegal accused of throwing a salami sub at a federal officer deployed in Washington, D.C.
Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Charles Dunn, 37, with felony assault of a Customs and Border Protection officer on Aug. 10. The New York Times reported Tuesday that prosecutors couldn’t persuade grand jurors to indict him in the high-profile case. CNBC also confirmed the no-bill.
The Washingtonian magazine described him as “DC’s hero.”
After the incident, Dunn was fired.
“This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X on Aug. 14. “You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”
The incident occurred at the corner of 14th and U Streets Northwest, which is a nightlife spot.
As seen in a video, Dunn yelled obscenities, calling the agents “fascists” and said, “Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city.”
Dunn was seen throwing a hoagie in front of a Subway sandwich shop. Officers chased the fleeing man and he was arrested.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted on Aug. 14 on X that he was arrested the night before.
At the police station, officers said the suspect confessed: “I did it. I threw the sandwich.”
“Assault a law enforcement officer, and you’ll be prosecuted,” Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C., posted on X on Aug. 13. “This guy thought it was funny — well, he doesn’t think it’s funny today, because we charged him with a felony.”
Assault a law enforcement officer, and you’ll be prosecuted.
This guy thought it was funny-well, he doesn’t think it’s funny today, because we charged him with a felony. pic.twitter.com/O0NVAFDZrU— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) August 13, 2025
Prosecutors can seek an indictment again or file another document known as an “information.” DOJ also can charge him with a misdemeanor, which could result in jail time.
Dunn is scheduled to appear next week in Federal District Court in Washington for a preliminary hearing. Magistrate G. Michael Harvey will determine if there is probable cause that a crime was committed .
There are up 23 members of a grand jury.
For a person to be indicted, 12 of them must agree that there is probable cause that a specific crime occurred. This is a lower standard than guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for all jurors in a trial.
When a prosecutor requests an indictment, it is extremely rare for them to decline, NBC News said.
Sol Wachtler, the former chief judge in New York state’s highest court, said in 1985 that prosecutors could get a grand jury to “indict a ham sandwich.”
President Donald Trump had the federal government take over the police department and ordered 800 National Guard members there. Federal agents from other departments were sent to assist in crime prevention.
Pirro, who was confirmed as D.C. attorney on Aug. 2 by the U.S. Senate, said Monday that “a third grand jury returned a no true bill” in another case involving a woman. Randy Reid was accused of assaulting a federal officer in D.C.
Assault a law enforcement officer, and you’ll be prosecuted.
This guy thought it was funny-well, he doesn’t think it’s funny today, because we charged him with a felony. pic.twitter.com/O0NVAFDZrU— Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) August 13, 2025
Reid “forcefully pushed” an FBI agent’s hand against a cement wall late last month. The woman had been recording the arrest of two alleged gang members being taken into custody by ICE because of their immigration status.
DOJ then reduced the charge to a misdemeanor.
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