FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 13, 2021

St. Paul Man Sentenced To Prison, $12 Million In Restitution For Minneapolis Police Third Precinct Arson

MINNEAPOLIS – A St. Paul man was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for his role in the arsons at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building.

According to court documents, on the night of May 28, 2020, Davon De-Andre Turner, 25, went to the Third Precinct where a crowd of hundreds had gathered. At one point, the crowd began shouting, “Burn it down, burn it down.” Soon after, a fence that was designed to keep trespassers out of the Third Precinct building was torn down. Turner and an individual unknown to him at the time (later identified as co-defendant Bryce Michael Williams) worked together to light an incendiary device which they intended to be used to start or further accelerate a fire. The incendiary device was taken into the Third Precinct headquarters by Turner and was used to start a fire.

“Mr. Turner’s actions on the night of May 28, 2020 contributed to the near total destruction of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Anders Folk. “Those actions were dangerous to community, to law enforcement, and to the many peaceful protestors exercising their first amendment rights. Today’s sentence underscores the seriousness of those actions.”

“ATF is committed to investigating the civil unrest arsons of 2020 that occurred throughout the Twin Cities,” said Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “Arson, being inherently violent, is a serious crime that puts our community members and first responders at risk, and it cannot be tolerated.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message—when you are intent on conducting a violent act that breaks federal law, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will move with speed to hold you accountable,” said Michael Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office. “That behavior puts our entire community in danger, and we simply will not let it go unaddressed.”

On January 22, 2021, Turner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson. As part of his sentencing, Turner was ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay $12 million in restitution.

Co-conspirator Dylan Shakespeare Robinson, 23, was sentenced on April 28, 2021, to 48 months in prison. Co-conspirator Branden Michael Wolfe, 23, was sentenced on May 4, 2021, to 41 months in prison. Both Robinson and Wolfe, who had each previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson, were also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay $12 million in restitution for their roles in the conspiracy. Co-conspirator Bryce Michael Williams is currently scheduled to be sentenced on June 7, 2021 before District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. Williams plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson on November 11, 2020.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the ATF, the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and David P. Steinkamp.

Read the indictment

Views: 122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Four Indicted In Minneapolis Police Third Precinct Arson

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging DYLAN SHAKESPEARE ROBINSON, 22, DAVON DE-ANDRE TURNER, 24, BYRCE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 26, and BRANDEN MICHAEL WOLFE, 23, with one count each of conspiracy to commit arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct. ROBINSON and WOLFE, were previously charged via federal criminal complaint with aiding and abetting arson. WILLIAMS was previously charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit arson. Formal detention and arraignment hearings will be scheduled at a later date.

According to the allegations in the indictment, on May 28, 2020, ROBINSON, TURNER, WILLIAMS, and WOLFE each went to the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct where a crowd of hundreds had gathered. At one point, the crowd began shouting, “Burn it down, burn it down.” Soon after, a fence that was designed to keep trespassers out of the Third Precinct building was torn down. ROBINSON, TURNER, WILLIAMS, and WOLFE, along with unidentified other co-conspirators, breached the fence and entered the Third Precinct building.

According to the allegations in the indictment, ROBINSON, assisted by an unidentified co-conspirator, lit an incendiary device held by the unidentified co-conspirator who threw it toward the Third Precinct building with the intent that it would start a fire or fuel an existing fire. WILLIAMS and TURNER, assisted by an unidentified co-conspirator, lit a Molotov cocktail, which was taken into the Third Precinct building by TURNER and used to start a fire. WOLFE pushed a barrel into a fire at the entrance of the Third Precinct building to accelerate an existing fire.

The ATF and FBI continue to urge the public to report suspected arson, use of explosive devices, or violent, destructive acts associated with the recent unrest. Anyone with information specifically related to the Third Precinct fire or other business fires in the Twin Cities can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via ReportIt.com. In addition to fires, the FBI is looking for people who may have incited or promoted violence of any kind. Anyone with digital material or tips can call 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or submit images or videos at FBI.gov/violence.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted jointly by the ATF, the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and David P. Steinkamp.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

DYLAN SHAKESPEARE ROBINSON, 22

Brainerd, Minn.

Charges:

Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

DAVON DE-ANDRE TURNER, 24

[NO PHOTO WILL ADD]

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

BRYCE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 26

Staples, Minn.

Charges:

Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

BRANDEN MICHAEL WOLFE, 23

St. Paul, Minn.

Charges:

Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

Views: 16