WASHINGTON, D.C. – A former Fairmount Heights police officer has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for violating a man’s civil rights by using excessive force during a 2019 traffic stop in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Wednesday.
Philip Dupree, 40, was convicted by a federal jury on June 17 of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a serious federal civil rights offense. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly sentenced Dupree to 74 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Excessive Force During 2019 Traffic Stop
The incident took place on August 4, 2019, when Dupree initiated a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue NE, a border street between Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County, Maryland. According to court records, Dupree detained a male driver and the driver’s sister during the stop.
While the driver was handcuffed and secured in the backseat of a police cruiser, Dupree pepper-sprayed him without any justification, as confirmed by trial testimony and surveillance footage. The jury determined that this act of force was unreasonable and unnecessary, amounting to a violation of the victim’s constitutional protection from cruel and excessive punishment under the Fourth Amendment.
Officials Condemn Dupree’s Actions
Federal prosecutors made it clear that Dupree’s behavior was not only a breach of professional standards but a violation of public trust.
“When the defendant used unnecessary and excessive force on a man in handcuffs, he violated his duty and betrayed his oath to serve and protect,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division echoed that sentiment:
“Dupree abused his authority as a police officer, and today Dupree was held accountable for his actions.”
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was the result of a joint investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Investigators collected body camera footage, witness statements, and internal police reports that were presented during the federal trial.
Upholding Civil Rights and Law Enforcement Accountability
The sentencing marks a significant example of federal authorities enforcing accountability within law enforcement. Prosecutors emphasized that excessive force—even by a single officer—undermines public confidence in policing and cannot be tolerated.
The Department of Justice continues to prioritize civil rights enforcement, particularly in cases involving law enforcement misconduct. Wednesday’s sentencing sends a clear message: abuse of power will face serious legal consequences.
The victim in the case was not identified publicly, and no further details about the individual’s condition after the incident were released. Dupree remains in federal custody and will be transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his sentence.
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