Man Arrested For Bringing Bombs To Us Riots

A man who allegedly brought explosive materials to the demonstrations in Minneapolis from Illinois has been charged with inciting a riot, in the what appears to be the first federal prosecution stemming from the US unrest over racism and police brutality.

Matthew Lee Rupert, 28, travelled from Galesburg, Illinois, about 300 miles (500 kilometres) south of Minneapolis with the intent of causing damage and looting, according to charges filed in Minnesota federal court Monday.

In a May 29 self-taken video he posted online, Rupert “can be seen passing out explosive devices he possessed, encouraging others to throw his explosives at law enforcement officers, actively damaging property, appearing to light a building on fire and looting businesses in Minneapolis,” the Justice Department said.

ee country during protests sparked by the police killing of a Minneapolis African American man. 

Rupert appears to have been in legal trouble in the past.

According to news reports, a Matthew L. Rupert of Galesburg was arrested in 2018 on charges related to trading in stolen guns.

The Galesburg police department also issued a warrant for his arrest on February 7 this year for possession of methamphetamine.