2 'Boogaloo Bois' Charged In Minneapolis: What To Know

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Federal authorities say two self-described members of the "Boogaloo Bois" tried to help Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, while they were in Minneapolis amid the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd.

According to United States Department of Justice, the Boogaloo Bois are a "loosely-connected group of individuals who espouse violent anti-government sentiments."

The Southern Poverty Law Center says members of the "antigovernment extremist movement group" show up to protests heavily armed and while wearing Hawaiian shirts.

"Boogaloo" refers to an impending second civil war in the U.S. that will involve violent uprisings against the government, according to the FBI.

Michael Robert Solomon, 30, of New Brighton and Benjamin Ryan Teeter, 22, of North Carolina each face one count of conspiring to provide material support to foreign terrorists.

According to U.S Attorney Erica MacDonald, Solomon and Teeter "believed their anti-U.S. government views aligned with those of Hamas" and they "actively developed plans to carry out violence in Minnesota and elsewhere."

"This case can only be understood as a disturbing example of the old adage, 'The enemy of your enemy is your friend,'" said Assistant Attorney General John C Demers in a news release.

"No matter what witch’s brew of ideological motivations inspire those who seek to engage in terrorist activity and harm our country and our fellow citizens, the National Security Division is committed to identifying and holding them accountable."

In the days after the death of George Floyd — when violent protests and strings of vandalism broke out across Minneapolis — Solomon and Teeter spoke with two people they believed were members of Hamas.

In reality, the two they spoke with were secretly working on behalf of the federal government. One was a federal source and the other was an undercover FBI agent.

In audio-recorded conversations, Solomon and Teeter discussed working as "mercenaries" for Hamas as a means to generate cash for the Boogaloo Bois, authorities said. The money would go to recruitment and purchasing land for a training compound for the group.

On July 30, Solomon and Teeter supplied five suppressors to one of the people they thought was a member of Hamas, according to authorities. They the also delivered a "drop in auto sear" — or DIAS — a part designed to make a weapon to shoot automatically, investigators said.

Solomon and Teeter believed the suppressors and the DIAS would be used by Hamas overseas to attack Israeli and U.S soldiers, according to authorities.

Solomon and Teeter were taken into custody Thursday night, and made their initial appearances in court Friday. They were ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Wednesday.