Man Captured In Mexico After Burning Down MN High School: Feds

MINNEAPOLIS — A Rochester man who fled to Mexico after burning down a high school and two other buildings in St. Paul was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Tuesday.

Jose Angel Felan, Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to one count of arson on Feb. 24. In addition to prison time, Felan will have to serve three years of supervised release and must pay $39,028 in restitution.

On May 28, 2020 — during the street violence that broke out following the killing of George Floyd — Felan set fire to a Goodwill, Gordon Parks High School, and 7 Mile Sportswear, authorities said.

All three buildings were located on University Avenue in St. Paul.

Following the arsons, Felan and his wife — Mena Dhaya Yousif, 23 — fled the state and traveled to Texas, where he had family, according to investigators.

Later, Felan and Yousif escaped to Mexico, authorities said.

On Feb. 15, 2021, an anonymous tip led Mexican immigration authorities to arrest Felan and Yousif and return them to the United States.