In the amended complaints, the defendants face felony charges of conspiracy to commit riot in the 2nd degree and conspiracy to commit criminal damage to property in the 1st degree. The counts charging conspiracy to commit riot in the 2nd degree “in further of terrorism” will be dismissed.
“We believe the terrorism charges would have been a distraction at trial,” said Ramsey
County Attorney Susan Gaertner. “Dismissing those charges will help us focus on the core illegal conduct that occurred.”
State terrorism law provides longer sentences for felony crimes involving premeditation and violence to persons or property and which are intended, among other things, to intimidate the public and disrupt the right of lawful assembly.
In these cases the state’s Sentencing Guidelines provide for stayed prison sentences with jail time, fines and other sanctions as possible conditions of probation.
The defendants will not face extended prison sentences if convicted under the terrorism sentencing enhancement.
The criminal complaint states the eight defendants were part of a group called the “RNC Welcoming Committee” that sought to disrupt the convention or prevent it from occurring.
The RNC Welcoming Committee website laid plans to blockade streets, bridges and freeways utilized by delegate buses and dignitaries and to immobilize the buses. The group also planned to damage property and riot in an attempt to shut down the convention.
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