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DOJ Makes Over 80 Federal Arrests Amid Rioting in Wake of George Floyd Death
BY JANITA KAN June 13, 2020 Updated: June 13, 2020 Print
The Justice Department’s efforts to restore law and order amid riots and chaos that occurred in the wake of George Floyd’s death have led to the arrest of dozens of individuals over the last two weeks.
Federal authorities have charged at least 81 individuals as of 5:25 p.m. on June 12, according to a document, obtained by The Epoch Times, that outlines details of the arrests made since late May when the nationwide protests began.
Among those charges, about 40 were arrested for committing acts of violence including using Molotov cocktails, setting fires, damaging property, and looting.
While many of the protests remained peaceful as people flooded the streets to call for change over police brutality and policing practices, some cities were faced with the violent activity that has led to significant property damage and more than a dozen deaths.
Protesters Demonstrate In D.C. Against Death Of George Floyd By Police Officer In Minneapolis
Protesters Demonstrate In D.C. Against Death Of George Floyd By Police Officer In Minneapolis Demonstrators march toward Lafayette Park and the White House to protest against police brutality and the death of George Floyd, in Washington on June 2, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
In Seattle, protesters have occupied and barricaded off part of the city, dubbed the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, after the police were driven out of the East Precinct building, which was the site of violent clashes. The occupation drew ire from President Donald Trump who has called on state and city officials to “take back” the city.
On Thursday some officers from the precinct returned to the building where they remained on Friday, according to a police spokeswoman, as officials finalize plans to reclaim the building. The officers were there to assess the building, which had been vandalized and had signs hung up stating, “This space is now property of the Seattle people.”
Epoch Times Photo
Epoch Times Photo The boarded-up Seattle Police Department East Precinct inside the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle, Wash. on June 10, 2020. (Ernie Li/NTD Television)
Barr has vowed to restore law and order on to American streets and communities, stating that “federal law enforcement efforts are focused on the violent instigators.”
“We will continue to investigate, make arrests, and prosecute where warranted,” the attorney general said in a speech on June 4.
Arrests Amid Chaos
The document released by the DOJ outlines details about all the federal riot-related cases announced so far by U.S. Attorneys across the country. As of June 12, there are 57 pending cases.
Individuals were arrested for a range of alleged conduct including pointing laser beams at law enforcement aircraft, setting police vehicles on fire, possession of firearms during the protests, theft, and looting, inciting riots, and for impersonating a federal officer.
One man, Loren Reed, 26, of Page, Arizona, was arrested on June 2 for using the internet and telephone to make threats to burn a local courthouse. According to the complaint, Reed created a private Facebook chat aimed at convincing people to join a meet up at the courthouse to participate in a riot. In that chat, Reed allegedly posted numerous messages related to burning government buildings such as the courthouse and local police department. The police department received a tip about Reed from a concerned citizen.
In another case, Branden Michael Wolfe, 23, from St Paul, Minnesota, was charged with aiding and abetting arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct. Wolfe was arrested after police responded to a home improvement store after receiving a complaint that an individual “wearing body armor and a law enforcement duty belt and carrying a baton” was trying to enter the store, according to the complaint.
Epoch Times Photo
Epoch Times Photo State Police stand guard as smoke billows from buildings that continue to burn in the aftermath of a night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
Wolfe was previously employed as a security guard at the store but was fired earlier that day. The complaint said at the time when police encountered him, Wolfe was wearing several items stolen from the Third Precinct including the body armor, a police-issue duty belt with handcuffs, an earphone piece, baton, and knife. Police later recovered additionals items belonging to the police department at Wolfe’s apartment, including “a riot helmet, 9mm pistol magazine, police radio, and police issue overdose kit,” the complaint stated.