IL Man Handed Out Bombs In MN, Sought 'Goons' To Join Him: Feds

GALESBURG, IL — An Illinois man traveled to Minneapolis, where he posted Facebook Live videos as he handed out explosives and encouraged protesters to throw bombs at police, federal authorities said. Matthew Rupert, 28, was arrested for violating curfew early Sunday after traveling to Chicago, where homemade bombs were found in his car, according to a complaint filed against him.

On Monday, United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced charges against Rupert including civil disorder, carrying on a riot and possession of unregistered destructive devices.

The complaint includes a screenshot of a Facebook post in which authorities say Rupert asked for "goons" to go with him to riot. On Friday in a self-recorded video, Rupert indicated he was in Minneapolis, authorities said.

On Friday night, Rupert posted a two-hour Facebook Live video in which authorities say he can be seen passing out explosives to protesters and urging them to throw them at officers, saying, "They got SWAT trucks up there... I've got some bombs if some of you all want to throw them back, bomb them back... light it and throw it."

The complaint says Rupert handed out an explosive to another person that was a "commercial item with a cylindrical container, hobby fuse and a main charge capable of exploding." In the clip, Rupert says, "light that b**** and throw it," and another person does so, prompting Rupert to respond, "Good shot, my boy."

The video also shows Rupert asking for lighter fluid before going into a Sprint store, then telling someone, "I lit it on fire," authorities said. Rupert can then be seen going into an Office Depot and taking items.

On Saturday, Rupert posted that he was headed to Chicago and urges others to come with him, writing, "We will be back bro we can loot till 230," the complaint says. Authorities said Rupert posted several more videos to Facebook early Sunday morning from Chicago, saying he was at "South Plymouth and Ida B. Wells" waiting for his brother and commenting, "let's start a riot" and "I’m going to start doing some damage."

Just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Chicago police arrested Rupert and others with him for violating the city's emergency curfew. Police who searched his vehicle found "several destructive devices," a hammer, a heavy-duty flashlight and cash, according to the complaint.

A woman who identified herself as Rupert's girlfriend told authorities he traveled with a group of people to Minneapolis to "riot," according to the complaint.