Dylan Little, Arson & Civil Rights Violations, Minnesota 2023

ST. PAUL, MN – A string of hate-fueled attacks culminated in the arrest of Dylan Little, 36, of Plymouth, Minnesota, who now faces federal charges of arson and civil rights violations. According to court documents unsealed today, Little systematically targeted religious and political institutions with acts of vandalism and fire, leaving a trail of fear and destruction in the Twin Cities.

The indictment details two separate arson incidents targeting mosques. On April 23, 2023, Little allegedly ignited a fire in the bathroom of the Masjid Omar Islamic Center. Less than 24 hours later, on April 24, 2023, surveillance footage captured him entering Masjid Al Rahma, where a fire soon erupted on the third floor, forcing an evacuation of the building. Investigators believe these fires were intentionally set, and are treating them as hate crimes.

But the attacks didn’t stop there. Back on January 5, 2023, Little allegedly vandalized the Minneapolis district office of a U.S. Representative, spray-painting the number “500” on the front door before photographing his handiwork. Later the same day, he allegedly repeated the act, targeting a patrol vehicle assigned to a Somali Minneapolis Police Department officer and an entryway at a popular marketplace known as the “Somali Mall.” The significance of the “500” remains under investigation.

Little was apprehended in Mankato, Minnesota, on April 29th. He appeared in U.S. District Court this morning before Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright, who ordered him held without bail pending further proceedings. The case is a joint effort involving the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights and National Security Divisions, as well as local law enforcement in Blue Earth and Hennepin Counties.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda M. Sertich is leading the prosecution. While an indictment has been returned, it’s crucial to remember that Little is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges against him include one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property, both federal offenses with potentially severe penalties.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops, bringing you the unvarnished truth about crime and justice in America. This incident underscores the growing threat of extremist violence and the importance of protecting vulnerable communities from hate-motivated attacks. We’ll be watching closely to see if investigators can uncover a wider network or motive behind Little’s actions.

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