Felan and Yousif, Arson, Minnesota 2021

Two Rochester fugitives were arrested in Mexico and charged with multiple arsons in Minnesota.

JOSE ANGEL FELAN, JR., 34, and MENA DHAYA YOUSIF, 22, were detained on February 15, 2021, in Mexico by Mexican authorities for immigration violations. The U.S. Marshals Service located them and led the apprehension efforts.

Felan and Yousif, both from Rochester, Minn., are accused of maliciously damaging and destroying by means of fire the Goodwill retail store, the Gordon Parks High School, and the 7 Mile Sportswear store, all located on University Avenue in St. Paul, on May 28, 2020.

The superseding indictment charges Felan with three counts of arson and Yousif with being an accessory after the fact. According to the indictment, Yousif assisted Felan in preventing his apprehension by law enforcement.

“Thanks to the skilled investigative work of the ATF and the tireless apprehension efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service these two defendants, who have been on the run for more than eight months, will be returned to Minnesota to face justice,” said U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the St. Paul Police Department, the St. Paul Fire Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division.

Felan and Yousif made their initial appearances on February 17, 2021, before a Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California. They were ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing on February 23, 2021.

Defendant Information:

JOSE ANGEL FELAN, JR., 34, Rochester, Minn. Charges: Arson, 3 counts

MENA DHAYA YOUSIF, 22, Rochester, Minn. Charges: Accessory after the fact (arson), 1 count

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melinda A. Williams and Emily Polachek.

The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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