The two men were charged with arson and Molotov cocktails after being thrown into the Dakota County Government building south of Minneapolis on Friday.
The US Prosecutor’s Office filed a federal criminal complaint against Garrett Patrick Ziegler, 24, and Fornandous Cortez Henderson on Tuesday – an official detention trial is scheduled for Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, Apple Valley Police Department responded to a fire alarm – the location of court facilities and a US Passport Center – at the Dakota County West Service Center (DCWSC) on May 29.
Security officials reportedly found “broken glasses, smoke and flames” at the western end of the building.
“There were items consistent with those used in Molotov cocktails, such as broken glass jars and liquor bottles, thumbtacks, sturdy glass jars with flammable liquids, and a charred red bandana,” the US Prosecutor’s complaint said.
The officers found a car key on the grass near the courthouse of a Ford Fiesta located in an adjacent parking lot.
A search warrant on the vehicle is also used to make Molotov cocktails, “liquor bottles, a store receipt dated May 28, 2020, three bandanas, partially filled and empty push boxes, mason jars including an empty cardboard box for twelve Ball brands. “
The officers also found an empty bottle of light liquid, bottles of isopropyl alcohol, and a “store receipt for nail polish remover” on 27 May 2020.
The car was registered to Ziegler.
Henderson and Ziegler were found and detained by police officers on the road near DCWSC.
Both men claimed that they were participating in George Floyd’s protests early in the day, and according to Henderson’s statement, they returned to Apple Valley by Metro Transit, “when they were greeted by police officers” the declaration.
However, police officials determined that Henderson’s account was incorrect because Metro Transit closed at 16:00. May 28.
Henderson and Ziegler will be detained until they are detained on Thursday.
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