Archive · 7 Nov 2025
DC Protester Found Not Guilty of Assault for Sandwich Throw
Imagine a man named Sean was at a protest and threw a sandwich at a government agent.
The sandwich hit the agent, and the agent said it smelled like onions and mustard.
Some of the agent's friends made jokes about it later, even giving him a toy sandwich.
A video of this went viral.
Sean's lawyers said that because the other agents thought it was funny, it wasn't a serious attack.
A judge or jury decided that Sean did not commit a crime called assault.
Sean was relieved but lost his job after the incident.
Sean Dunn was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault for throwing a sandwich at a US Border Patrol agent.
The incident occurred on August 10 during a protest in Washington D.C.
Dunn's lawyers admitted he threw the sandwich but argued it was not a criminal act.
Agent Gregory Lairmore testified that the sandwich hit him and smelled of onions and mustard.
Dunn was acquitted after a two-day trial but subsequently lost his job as a paralegal.
- Who
- Sean Dunn, a 37-year-old protester, and US Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore
- What
- Dunn was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault for throwing a sandwich at Agent Lairmore during a protest.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 10, and the verdict was announced after a two-day trial.
- Where
- Washington D.C.
- Why
- Dunn was protesting the deployment of federal agents and National Guard troops in the city.
Defense Argument
Prosecution Argument
Nature of the Act
Defense Argument
The act of throwing a sandwich was not a criminal assault, as evidenced by the mocking reactions and jokes from the agent's colleagues.
Prosecution Argument
Throwing a sandwich at an agent, causing it to 'explode all over him,' constitutes assault.
Intent and Impact
Defense Argument
The incident was a symbolic act of protest, not intended to cause harm, and the agent's reaction and colleagues' jokes suggest a lack of serious impact.
Prosecution Argument
The agent testified to feeling the impact through his vest and the lingering smell of food, indicating a direct and undesirable physical contact.
- Defendant
- Sean Dunn
- Victim
- Agent Gregory Lairmore
- Incident Date
- August 10
- Location
- Washington D.C.
- Charge
- Misdemeanor Assault
- Verdict
- Not Guilty
- Outcome for Defendant
- Lost job as paralegal at Department of Justice