The Justice Department said around 80 people were charged with arson and explosives related offenses and 15 were charged with destruction of or damage to federal property. In some instances, these individuals are alleged to have set fires to local businesses, as well as, city and federal property.
DOJ says public property damage in the millions
The public properties that were destroyed or damaged include the Portland Courthouse. Mr. Agard-Berryhill, 18 has been charged, on July 28 with creating explosions, and “using fires to maliciously damage the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in downtown Portland.”
“No legitimate protest message is advanced by throwing a large explosive device against a government building. Mr. Agard-Berryhill’s actions could have gravely injured law enforcement officers positioned near the courthouse, other protesters standing nearby, or himself,” said U.S. Attorney Williams.
The DOJ charged two individuals named Shelby Ligons of Nashville, Tennessee, and Wesley Somers of Hendersonville, Tennessee for allegedly causing the fires and explosions at Nashville Courthouse on May 30.
