Matthew Lee Rupert, 28, of Galesburg, Illinois, was taken into custody on Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. He’s been charged with civil disorder, possession of unregistered explosives, and participating in and organizing riots. He’s the first person to face federal charges in connection to the fiery protests that have roiled Minneapolis since George Floyd, a black man, died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
As with some of the others, like the guy arrested in Nashville for setting the courthouse on fire, his Facebook page is filled with obscenities, his bodies covered in tats that look Proud Boy/Boogaloo-related -OEN
A white man from Illinois is facing federal charges after he allegedly traveled to Minneapolis with bombs, encouraged protesters to throw them at law enforcement, and looted businesses — all with the goal of “starting a riot.”