Florida Man Arrested for Minnesota Capitol ‘ICE’ Sculpture Vandalism
Video posted by Lang on X shows him destroying the sculpture Thursday.
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Florida man is charged with felony property damage after prosecutors say he vandalized an ice sculpture displayed outside the Minnesota State Capitol.
The incident happened Thursday, Feb. 5 around 2:30 p.m. on the State Capitol grounds in Saint Paul.
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Prosecutors charged 30-year-old Edward Jacob Lang, of Lake Worth, Fla,, with first-degree damage to property. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. Prosecutors say Lang caused damage exceeding $1,000.
Troopers working at the Capitol were alerted to damage involving a permitted art installation made of large ice blocks spelling “PROSECUTE ICE.” Investigators say the display was part of a scheduled event authorized to remain on Capitol property between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. that day.
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According to the complaint, Lang was dressed in camouflage when he approached the sculpture and kicked over multiple letters. Prosecutors allege he destroyed the “SECUTE” portion of the display, leaving it reading “PRO ICE.” Authorities say Lang then got into a Ram pickup and drove away from the area.
Troopers stopped the pickup a short time later and identified Lang as the suspect. According to investigators, Lang presented a Florida driver’s license and told troopers he was exercising his First Amendment right to artistic expression. Authorities say Lang also claimed the sculpture could not maintain its structure because it was made of ice. Investigators allege Lang told officers he recorded the incident and posted it to social media.
The sculpture had been commissioned by the Common Defense organization, which paid $6,250 to a local artist to create the installation and an additional $600 to have it removed after the permit expired. Organizers told investigators the plan was to donate the sculpture to a local business following the event so it could be displayed longer.
Prosecutors noted in the complaint that while artistic expression is protected by the First Amendment, damaging property belonging to others is not protected.
Still image from video posted by Lang on X.
Authorities arrested Lang after determining the damage met the felony threshold. Court records show Lang requested to be placed in protective custody at the jail and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office agreed to accommodate the request. Investigators say Lang declined to provide a custodial statement but asked officers to relay a message to prosecutors stating he was “creating art” and exercising his First Amendment rights.
Lang made an initial court appearance Friday afternoon in Ramsey County District Court and was released without bail under interim conditions that require him to stay at least three blocks away from the Minnesota State Capitol in all directions. Court records say the order remains in effect until modified by the court and that Lang could be arrested without a warrant if he violates the restriction.
Court records show Lang is scheduled to return to court for an omnibus hearing March 3.
Lang is a Florida-based political activist who gained national attention for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, where he faced federal charges including assaulting law enforcement and civil disorder. Those charges were later dismissed after he received a presidential pardon in 2025. Since then, Lang has remained active in political demonstrations and online advocacy centered largely on immigration and law enforcement issues.
Earlier in the Twin Cities, Lang held a small protest in downtown Minneapolis in mid-January that drew both supporters and a much larger crowd of counter-protesters who outnumbered his group and disrupted the planned march.
Lang also promoted plans for an event at the Minnesota State Capitol on Feb. 7. It’s still unclear whether Lang will attend that event in light of the geographic restrictions imposed by the court.
