Staples, Minn., Man Sentenced for MPD 3rd Precinct Arson
A Staples, Minn., man was sentenced Monday to more than two years in prison for his role in the arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct building in late May 2020. Bryce Michael Williams, 27, earlier pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson. As part of his sentencing, he was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release and pay $12 million in restitution.
Bryce Michael Williams
According to court documents, on the night of May 28, 2020, Williams went to the area of the 3rd Precinct, where a crowd of hundreds had gathered after the recent killing of George Floyd by now-former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin.
A fence that was designed to keep trespassers out of the building was eventually torn down and several people entered the 3rd Precinct. Surveillance video showed Williams standing near the entrance and holding a Molotov cocktail while a co-conspirator (later identified as Davon De-Andre Turner) lit the wick. The Molotov cocktail was taken into the building by Turner and was used to start a fire. Williams later threw a box on an existing fire located just outside the entrance, the documents said.
A Brainerd man was also sentenced for his role, and a St. Paul man was sentenced in May.
“All four defendants charged in federal court have now been sentenced for their individual roles in the burning and near total destruction of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building,” said Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk said in a written media release. “Williams and his co-defendants have been held accountable for their dangerous and destructive actions. I thank our federal, state, and local partners who pursued justice in these cases.”