Far-right 'Boogaloo Bois' suspects charged in terror case; sought roles as 'mercenaries' for Hamas
Federal prosecutors charged two suspects linked to the far-right Boogaloo Bois with attempting to provide material support for the anti-Israel terror group Hamas in an unusual alignment of extremist interests.
Michael Solomon, 30, and Benjamin Teeter, 22, made their first court appearance in Minneapolis Friday when they were ordered to remain in custody pending a detention hearing next week.
The two suspects, self-avowed members of the violent, anti-government Boogaloos, were swept up in a federal sting operation when they allegedly expressed their desire to become "mercenaries" for Hamas as a means to raise money to purchase a training compound for the group, according to court documents.
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The suspects allegedly discussed the scheme in June with an FBI informant who they believed to be a Hamas member, prosecutors said.
"This case can only be understood as a disturbing example of the old adage: 'the enemy of your enemy is your friend,'" said John Demers, chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division, adding that the case represented a "witch's brew of ideological motivations" that may inspire U.S. enemies.
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The investigation began in late May in the midst of demonstrations over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Witnesses alerted the FBI that Solomon and Teeter possessed firearms and large quantities of ammunition. The two suspects, according to the witnesses, discussed "committing acts of violence against police officers and other targets in furtherance of the ... stated goal of overthrowing the government and replacing its police forces."
In subsequent contacts with the FBI informant and undercover agents, the suspects also allegedly talked about their ability to manufacture and provide "untraceable" weapons, including silencers and fully automatic firearms.
Following a meeting in late July, the suspects allegedly delivered a device designed to convert a gun to shoot automatically, which they believed Hamas would use to attack Israeli and U.S. soldiers, according to court documents.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Far-right 'Boogaloo Bois' charged in terror case tied to Hamas
