Posted on 06/16/2020 5:25:12 PM PDT by Taxman
The Justice Department is urging U.S. attorneys nationwide to use federal courts — where more serious charges are available — to prosecute people suspected of violence or property damage during the protests over George Floyd's death.
Attorney General William Barr said Thursday that federal agents have arrested 51 people for acts of violence since the protests began. The U.S. Marshals service said 21 federal courthouses have been damaged in 15 states, and the ATF said it was investigating 847 separate cases of arson and 76 incidents involving explosives.
Investigators said social media photos and videos have led to some of the arrests.
"We're seeing people who are exploiting this situation to pursue violent, extremist agendas, anarchists like antifa and other agitators," said FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Barr said a "witch's brew" of extremists with many different motivations were involved. On Wednesday, authorities revealed that the FBI arrested three members of a radical right-wing group called Boogaloo in Las Vegas, accusing them of planning to attack police during the demonstrations.
Law enforcement officials say in many cases, people travel from other states to reach the scene of protests, then rely on informal networks to supply them with bricks, gasoline and advice on where to strike.
"We have absolutely seen outside agitators across the country," said a Justice Department official who is helping to coordinate the federal response.
The official said he was aware of at least two cases of violence caused by members of antifa, which is a loosely organized radical leftist group, though he declined to say where they occurred.
"The violence and property damage is being caused by a combination of opportunistic looters and plain thugs taking advantage of the situation," the official said.
Investigators said social media photos and videos as well as tips from the public have led to some of the arrests.
In Nashville, 25-year-old Wesley Somers was charged with helping to set fire to the city hall building. Court documents said he was identified through video clips and pictures posted by people nearby.
Prosecutors said photos taken by a witness led to the arrest of 31-year-old Timothy O'Donnell, charged with setting fire to a police vehicle in Chicago.
A 28-year-old Illinois man, Matthew Rupert, was arrested after investigators said they found a two-hour video posted to his Facebook account.
"In the video, Rupert passes out explosives he indicates he possessed, encourages others to throw his explosives at law enforcement officers, actively damages property, appears to light a building on fire, and loots businesses in Minneapolis," court documents said.
Prosecutors in Buffalo, New York, said video helped identify 20-year-old Courtland Renford, charged with throwing a burning laundry basket into city hall.
"Many have suffered from the violence instigated through these radicals and extremists, including members of our own law enforcement family — officers killed or gravely injured while just doing their jobs, fulfilling their duty to the public by trying to keep everyone safe," Wray said.
I am surprised that NBC News published this article, and I hope that we FReepers can find more articles indicating that the BLM, antifa and Soros paid thugs are getting arrested and being held on serious charges!
Thanks for the lead!
Here is an important factiod: “Attorney General William Barr said Thursday that federal agents have arrested 51 people for acts of violence since the protests began. The U.S. Marshals service said 21 federal courthouses have been damaged in 15 states, and the ATF said it was investigating 847 separate cases of arson and 76 incidents involving explosives.”
Of course they film themselves committing crimes and posting it on the ‘webz because for the most part they won’t be prosecuted.
Social media temper tantrum in 3...2...1...
This is the leftist press telling their fellow travelers to destroy evidence and scrub social media.
“Social media posts help feds arrest those committing violence at Floyd protests..”
Feds did what? Since when? Near as I can tell no law enforcement is doing jack these days.
Note to the “Trump doing absolutely nothing” crowd.
I told you so....now shut up.
Ha...wrong.
“ The U.S. Marshals service said 21 federal courthouses have been damaged in 15 states, and the ATF said it was investigating 847 separate cases of arson and 76 incidents involving explosives. ”
And we hear multiple times a day how these “protests” a.k.a riots, are mostly peaceful.
Kind of sinks that boatload.
Exactly, here is MSM helping Antifa burn the city’s.
The “. . . the rioting, looting, stealing from innocent bystanders, destroying property [and] burning buildings. . . .” IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, is it?
I’d love to see a survey showing how much support the Democrats have gained since the “. . . rioting, looting, stealing from innocent bystanders, destroying property [and] burning buildings. . . .” began!
Best there be some serious jail time as a result of this unlawfullness!
HST, there probably will not be - Democrats burning Democrat cities get away with their crimes!
Are you aware of ANY Republican run city that has been destroyed by these animals?
No offense intended, but you have me confused with someone who gives a shit about a “Social media temper tantrum!”
HST, Feds need to use Social Media as evidence to convict these EVIL people!
Thass Right!
Democrats committing crimes in Democrat cities get a FRee pass!
Try to go to Church in a Democrat city, or cut hair, or open your gym or sit down in a restaurant!
Thass a different story, isn’t it?
Antifa doesn't have ranks because they're not a group in the traditional sense.
...antifa and Soros paid thugs are getting arrested and being held on serious charges!
They aren't paid. They do this for free because their ideology leads them to believe that it's the right thing to do.
This is where a little water boarding would come in handy
With the Marxist wannabes teaching in our public schools for decades, lecturing and legislating in our congress and courts, preaching in our churches and synagogues, running our cities, states and social media - the Democrats may have increased support from the unthinking indoctrinated populace.
We’ll know soon enough. As a nation we had better make some impactful changes to get back to our core principles and turn this culture back on a course aligned with Godly ethics or we’re spitting in the wind. We have to have the aid of the Holy Spirit to hold back the dark demonic forces that seek to enslave the world. Otherwise He will give us up to our reprobate minds.
He’s not doing nearly enough.
ANTIFA in this country is being run off of college campuses. The organizers are faculty. They’ve been crowing about it online for years. The daily perp walks of professors should have started two weeks ago. Federal funds should have been cut to acquiescing schools.
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