Minnesota Member Of 'Boogaloo Bois' Faces Federal Gun Charge

ST. CLOUD, MN — A St. Cloud man who is a self-described member of the "Boogaloo Bois" faces a gun charge. Michael P. Dahlager, 27, was charged with illegal possession of a machine gun.

Dahlager was taken into custody Wednesday morning and made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson in U.S. District Court. He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on April 9.

The FBI says it learned through a "confidential human source" that Dahlager was discussing his willingness to kill members of law enforcement. The bureau said it also learned that Dahlager owned both a 3D-printed "drop-in" auto sear and a homemade firearm suppressor.

An auto sear allows a semi-automatic weapon to shoot automatically. Under federal law, a semi-automatic firearm with an auto sear is considered a machine gun.

If convicted, Dahlager faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The Boogaloo Bois

According to the United States Department of Justice, the Boogaloo Bois are a "loosely-connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments."

The Southern Poverty Law Center says members of the "antigovernment extremist movement group" show up to protests heavily armed and while wearing Hawaiian shirts.

Dahlager's home

On Nov. 21, Dahlager showed the FBI's source several tactical items including body armor, an AR-15 style assault rifle with a folding stock, and an item Dahlager described as a suppressor, according to a criminal complaint. Dahlager also showed two auto sears created by a 3D printer, the FBI said.

The FBI's source also found loaded magazines for an assault rifle in Dahlager's home, according to authorities. Dahlager said his home has port-holes to make a stand if law enforcement confronts him, according to the criminal complaint.

Minnesota State Capitol

During the FBI's investigation, Dahlager traveled from St. Cloud to St. Paul to conduct surveillance at the Minnesota State Capitol building during a Dec. 12 "Stop the Steal" rally, the FBI said. Dahlager scouted the number of police and which streets were blocked off, according to the criminal complaint.

Dahlager recorded video during the rally and later showed it to the FBI's source, according to the bureau.

Sale

On Feb. 3 at his home, Dahlager gave the source two auto sears and demonstrated how they should be inserted into a firearm, according to the FBI.