Feds want nearly 10 years for Galesburg man who joined Minneapolis rioting before heading to Chicago suntimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from suntimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Galesburg Register-Mail
Matthew Lee Rupert, 28, of Galesburg pleaded guilty to one count of arson this week before Judge Nancy E. Brasel in U.S. District Court, according to Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk. Rupert was initially charged on June 1, 2020.
A sentencing date will be scheduled later. According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, on May 28, 2020, Rupert, of Galesburg, posted messages on his Facebook account referencing the public protests occurring in the Twin Cities following the death of George Floyd, including one that stated, “I’m going to Minneapolis tomorrow who coming only goons I’m renting hotel rooms.”
Matthew Lee Rupert
A Galesburg man pleaded guilty to one count of arson in connection with last year s protests in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd.
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota said a sentencing date will be scheduled later for Matthew Lee Rupert, age 28.
Prosecutors said Rupert announced on Facebook Live that he was in Minneapolis and that he was there to riot. They also said the video showed Rupert encouraging violence against police officers. The video also shows him breaking into buildings and looting businesses.
Prosecutors said Rupert entered a boarded-up Sprint store, knocked over several boxes, and sprayed the pile of boxes with lighter fluid. He then told someone else who was a juvenile at the time to light the pile on fire.
Galesburg Man Pleads Guilty in Minneapolis Arson Case tspr.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tspr.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Illinois man pleads guilty to arson after traveling to Minneapolis to riot
The 28-year-old recorded himself on Facebook live causing destruction in Minneapolis last summer.
Author:
Knox County Jail
A 28-year-old Illinois man accused of traveling to Minnesota and recording himself on Facebook Live setting fire to a cell phone store during the May 2020 riots has pleaded guilty to arson.
Matthew Lee Rupert of Galesburg, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of arson this week in U.S. District Court, a news release says. He ll be sentenced at a later date.
Rupert was charged June 1, 2020, after he shared on Facebook his plans to travel to Minneapolis. In a video he recorded of himself on May 29, 2020, he indicated he was in Minneapolis and came to riot.