Stratford Woman Arrested Near US Capitol Is Released From DC Jail

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford woman has pleaded not guilty and been released from jail after she was arrested over the weekend near the U.S. Capitol and accused of impersonating an officer and fleeing law enforcement, according to court records.

Linda Lee MaGovern, 63, of Cherry Street, was arraigned Monday in Washington, D.C.’s superior court.

About 8:45 a.m. Saturday, MaGovern approached a perimeter put in place for President-Elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration, law enforcement said. She displayed a Military Police Challenge Coin and claimed to be an officer as well as a member of the presidential cabinet, according to law enforcement.

Police asked MaGovern to park her vehicle, and she did, but when law enforcement requested her driver’s license, she fled north and was stopped a short distance later outside Union Station, law enforcement said.

MaGovern was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police and taken to receive a psychiatric evaluation and later to D.C. Central Cell Block, according to law enforcement. Her vehicle was towed, and her dog, which was in the vehicle, was taken into custody by D.C. Animal Control, court records said.

While police initially sought to charge MaGovern with impersonating an officer, fleeing law enforcement and failure to obey, the only charge D.C.’s U.S. attorney chose to pursue is fleeing police, a misdemeanor, according to court documents.

MaGovern entered her not guilty plea before Judge Ebony Scott, court records said. She was released from jail on the condition that she be monitored by D.C.'s pretrial services agency and stay out of the city, according to Leah Gurowitz, director of media and public relations for D.C. courts.

When reached by phone Tuesday, MaGovern's attorney, Kevin Mosley, declined to comment other than to confirm MaGovern's mental health appears to be an issue in the case. Mosely noted he had not met MaGovern, as D.C. courts are largely operating remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MaGovern has no criminal conviction history in Connecticut within the last 10 years, according to state judicial records. She is a registered Democrat, according to state voter registration records.

MaGovern’s next court appearance is set for 9:30 a.m. June 21, court records said.