MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A chilling alliance between far-right extremists and a designated foreign terrorist organization has been exposed in Minnesota. Michael Robert Solomon, 30, and Benjamin Ryan Teeter, 22, both self-proclaimed members of the “Boogaloo Bois,” are facing federal charges for allegedly conspiring and attempting to provide material support to Hamas, the Department of Justice announced today.
The pair, taken into custody yesterday evening, appeared before Magistrate Judge Tony N. Leung in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis earlier today. Both SOLOMON and TEETER were ordered held pending a formal detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The case, according to Assistant Attorney General John C. Demers, highlights a dangerous dynamic: “The enemy of your enemy is your friend.” The DOJ alleges the defendants actively sought to leverage violence against U.S. authorities and property, believing a shared animosity with Hamas would forge a powerful, destructive partnership.
“These defendants proclaim themselves to be members of the Boogaloo Bois, a group that espouses a violent ideology and an objective to overthrow the government,” stated United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald. “They believed their anti-U.S. government views aligned with those of Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization, and actively developed plans to carry out violence in Minnesota and elsewhere.” The FBI’s investigation, initiated in late May 2020, focused on SOLOMON and TEETER and their association with a sub-group calling themselves the “Boojahideen.” The Boogaloo Bois, a loosely connected network, openly advocate for an impending second civil war and violent resistance against the government.
The complaint details how SOLOMON was observed openly carrying a firearm in a Minneapolis residential neighborhood during the unrest following the death of George Floyd. He and TEETER reportedly interacted with a witness over several days, displaying firearms and significant ammunition stockpiles. Discussions, according to the witness, centered on committing acts of violence. The pair allegedly attempted to secure financial support from individuals they *believed* to be Hamas operatives, intending to fund further violent activities within the U.S.
“The FBI is committed to stopping acts of violence against law enforcement officers or anyone else in our communities,” said Jill Sanborn, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The defendants in this case were willing to work with Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization, in order to get money for potential acts of violence here in the U.S.” While the alleged plot failed – no support was ultimately provided – the case underscores the growing threat of ideological convergence between disparate extremist groups and international terrorist organizations.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Federal prosecutors will now move forward with building their case against Michael Robert Solomon and Benjamin Ryan Teeter, seeking to ensure they are held accountable for their alleged attempt to arm a foreign terrorist organization and incite violence within the United States. The full complaint and affidavit remain under seal, but further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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