Minneapolis Resident Sentenced to Ten Years for Arson in 2020 Riots

In a significant turn of events, a Minneapolis man has been handed a ten-year sentence in federal prison for his role in setting fire to the Target corporate headquarters amid the 2020 riots. This sentencing marks a notable moment of accountability following the widespread unrest that gripped the city.

Leroy Lemonte Perry Williams, now 37 years old, was implicated in a series of destructive activities that included arson, looting, and property damage during the chaotic events that unfolded on August 26, 2020. These incidents occurred months after the George Floyd riots that had already caused extensive damage to numerous businesses across Minneapolis.

Earlier today Montez Terriel Lee pled guilty to federal arson charges for burning down a Pawn shop during last year’s Minneapolis #riots

They did find a dead body in the remains of that building, don’t think anyone has been charged relating to that yethttps://t.co/3hmJRSx1Ce pic.twitter.com/oJZInx28PW

— AntifaWatch (@AntifaWatch2) July 23, 2021

The riots were fueled by misinformation spread through live streams, falsely claiming that Minneapolis police had fatally shot a man downtown. This sparked an immediate and violent response from the crowd, leading to an evening of turmoil in various parts of the city.

Williams, along with two other individuals, faced charges in federal court for conspiracy to commit arson. The trio’s actions led to significant damage at the Target Corporation’s headquarters located at 1000 Nicollet Mall. Surveillance footage captured Williams joining the rioters as they moved from the Target store on Nicollet Mall to a Speedway gas station and eventually to the Target headquarters.

Soros funded the BLM riots. Instead of suing him for the damage, they are charging the taxpayers $10 million to fund their next series of riots. Do I have that right? pic.twitter.com/xhcFS1aJyh

— I am Ken (@Ikennect) January 28, 2024

Court documents revealed that Williams had initially been offered a plea deal on the arson charge in January 2021. However, he later withdrew his plea, resulting in a jury trial in October of the previous year, where he was found guilty.

Following his decade-long imprisonment, Williams is set to undergo three years of supervised release. His co-defendants, Victor Devon Edwards and Shador Tommie Cortez Jackson, received sentences of 100 months and 33 months, respectively, for their involvement in the arson.

The sentencing of Williams has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing surprise at the severity of the punishment. It is seen by many as a rare instance of legal consequences being imposed on individuals involved in the Black Lives Matter protests that escalated into violence.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions that can follow such acts of civil disobedience and destruction. It underscores the justice system’s capacity to hold individuals accountable for their actions, even amidst the complex social and political dynamics that characterize such events.