Former Fairmount Heights Police Officer Philip Dupree faced the music today in Washington D.C., receiving a 74-month prison term for his excessive use of force. The 40-year-old was convicted on June 17, 2024, for violating a man’s civil rights through unnecessary force while he was handcuffed and seated in Dupree’s police vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro declared that the sentence sends a clear message: law enforcement must adhere to their duties and the public’s trust. Dupree’s actions, she said, were a betrayal of his oath to serve and protect.
The incident unfolded on August 4, 2019, when Officer Dupree stopped a vehicle on Eastern Avenue NE in Washington D.C. During the traffic stop, he pepper-sprayed the driver, who was already seated in the police car and in handcuffs. The jury found that this action was a clear case of excessive force.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized that police officers must protect constitutional rights and not abuse their authority. Dupree’s sentence reflects the justice system’s stance against such misconduct.
Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director of the FBI Washington Field Office, underscored the importance of holding public servants accountable for abusing their power. The FBI is committed to pursuing such cases and ensuring justice is served.
This case was a result of an investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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