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Date: 05-05-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 0:20-cr-00193-MJD-ECW
Judge: Michael J. Davis
Court: United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (Henepin County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Minneapolis, Minnesota criminal defense lawyers represented defendants charge with providing material support to terrorists.
Michael Solomon, 31, of New Brighton, Minn., was a member of the “Boogaloo Bois,” a group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments. In late May 2020, the FBI initiated an investigation into Solomon and co-defendant Benjamin Ryan Teeter, both members of the “Boogaloo Bois,” and a sub-group called the “Boojahideen.”
On June 10, 2020, Solomon and Teeter met with a confidential human source (CHS), whom the defendants believed to be a member of Hamas. During this meeting, Solomon and Teeter proposed assisting Hamas as a means of furthering the goals of the Boogaloo Bois. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Solomon used encrypted messaging applications to communicate with Teeter and the CHS about various aspects of the conspiracy.
On June 28, 2020, Solomon, Teeter and the CHS met an undercover employee of the FBI (UCE) that Solomon believed was a member of Hamas. During this meeting, Solomon and Teeter proposed manufacturing suppressors, untraceable firearms and fully automatic firearms for Hamas.
On July 6, 2020, Solomon and Teeter purchased a drill press for the purpose of manufacturing suppressors for Hamas. Solomon admitted that he and Teeter had planned to use the drill press to also manufacture suppressors for members of the Boogaloo Bois. Solomon and Teeter brought the drill press to Solomon’s home and later used the drill press to manufacture five suppressors.
On July 30, 2020, Solomon and Teeter delivered the suppressors to the CHS and UCE believing those devices would be used by the militant wing of Hamas. During that meeting, the defendants agreed to manufacture additional suppressors for Hamas believing that the next batch of suppressors would be used against Israeli and U.S. military personnel overseas.
Solomon admitted that he and Teeter again met the UCE on Aug. 29, 2020. During this meeting, the defendants gave the UCE a 3-D printed “auto sear” believing that the auto sear would be used by Hamas to convert semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic rifles. At this time, Solomon and Teeter agreed to obtain, and did obtain, another order of auto sears for the CHS and the UCE.
Solomon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Solomon faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Trial Attorneys George Kraehe and Felice John Viti of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew R. Winter of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.
18:2339B(a)(1) CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
(1)
18:2339B(a)(1) CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
(1s)
18:2339B(a)(1) and 2 AIDING AND ABETTING ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
(2)
18:2339B(a)(1) and 2 AIDING AND ABETTING ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
(2s)
26:5841, 5861(d) and 5871, and 18:2 AIDING AND ABETTING POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED FIREARMS - SILENCERS
(3s)
18:922(o), 924(a)(2), and 2 AIDING AND ABETTING UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A MACHINE GUN
(4s)
Outcome: Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael J. Davis: Arraignment as to Michael Robert Solomon (1) Count 1s,1,2s,2,3s,4s held on 5/4/2021, Change of Plea Hearing as to Michael Robert Solomon held on 5/4/2021. Guilty Plea entered as to Count 1s of the Indictment; PSR ordered; Defendant is remanded to the custody of the USM. (Court Reporter Maria Weinbeck) (GRR) (Entered: 05/04/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: