A Chicago man has been arrested and charged in federal court with inciting a riot last August in Chicago, accused of posting videos and messages on Facebook calling for property damage and looting.
James Massey, 22, is charged with using a facility of interstate commerce to incite a riot in connection with looting downtown and on the Near North Side on Aug. 10. A hearing is underway.
Prosecutors said Massey was arrested at 6:10 a.m. He faces a maximum of five years in prison.
In the complaint is a copy of social media post sent to Chicago police on Aug. 10 that stated:
ATTENTION ATTENTION LOTTING START AT 12 am tonight … WE WILL NOT BE F——— UP THE SOUTH SIDE EAST SIDE OR WEST SIDE
DOWNTOWN AREA AND UP NORTH AREA ONLY BRING YA TOOLS SKI MASK AND GLOVES
A prosecutor told the judge that Massey “was instrumental in instigating what was very destructive activity” in August.
Massey will be released from custody on several bond conditions, including electronic monitoring and a curfew, per the judge.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
