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Four rioters federally indicted after rioting and torching police vehicles in Philadelphia

Four rioters federally indicted after rioting and torching police vehicles in Philadelphia 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA- On May 30th, Law Enforcement Today reported that two Philadelphia Police Patrol Cars were torched, and now, police have charged the suspects. 

Four of the rioter are facing federal charges for allegedly setting the police vehicles on fire on May 30th.

On Thursday, October 29th, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, William McSwain, announced charges against 24-year-old Ayoub Tabri, 25-year-old Khalif Miller, 30-year-old Carlos Matchett, and 29-year-old Anthony Smith on Thursday, KYW reported.

Anthony Smith ironically is a Youthbuild Charter school social studies teacher, and “Philly for Real Justice” representative.

Smith, Miller and Matchett were all indicted for arson in connection with their alleged role in setting a Philadelphia Police Department Car on fire. 

The vehicle was a total and complete loss following the men apparently placing combustible materials in the police vehicles before throwing a road flare inside. 

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Smith’s attorney, Paul Hetznecker, accused prosecutors of charging his client because of his role as a “political activist.”

Hetznecker told KYW:

“To charge him federally, I think is outrageous and as I said, it’s another example of the political overreach by the federal government,”

Hetznecker also told The Philadelphia Inquirer:

“Utilizing the awesome power of the federal government to target activists and select them for federal prosecution during one of the most important social justice movements in our history sends a dangerous message,” 

He further alleged that the case against Smith is:

“part of a broader effort by this administration to criminalize and quell dissent expressed by progressive political movement.”

McSwain responded by saying he his office was not targeting Smith, and it was not politically motivated.

He told KYW:

“Mr. Smith was not in any way targeted by my office. I knew nothing about Mr. Smith or his affiliations until the investigation was nearly complete,” 

He went on to say:

“We do not investigate people at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We investigate alleged criminal behavior.”

Tabri was indicted for a separate incident involving the arson of a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) vehicle, which also occurred on May 30, KYW reported.

According to police, two Pennsylvania State Police SUVs were parked on the Interstate 676 on-ramp in an attempt to block rioters from accessing the highway.

KYW reported that Tabri and other members of his group allegedly attacked the patrol vehicles, shattering the windows and stealing fire extinguishers, road flares, and other police-issued riot equipment from inside.

Investigators stated that Tabri threw a road flare into one of the Pennsylvania State Police vehicles, which quickly became engulfed.

The flames also caught a nearby trooper’s uniform on fire, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Tabri has been indicted on charges of obstructing law enforcement in the commission of their duties during a civil disorder and two counts of arson, KYW reported.

Federal prosecutors in New Jersey also charged Matchett with inciting a riot back in June, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Police Tribune reported that prosecutors claim he was responsible for urging rioters to loot stores in Atlantic City just one day after he allegedly torched the patrol vehicle in Philadelphia.

According to police, Matchett was carrying a gasoline-filled jar, a knife, and an axe on him when police arrested him in New Jersey.

McSwain said of the indictments:

“You’re not going to be able to torch police cars and do things like that with impunity,” 

McSwain said that it was video footage from throughout the city that assisted in identifying and ultimately arresting the suspects. 

McSwain said:

“You can’t go anywhere in Philadelphia without being on video, especially during these protests,” 

He continued:

“So my message is, you’re being watched.”

McSwain said that his office supports peaceful protest and the protection of First Amendment rights.

“But violence is not speech,

“There is no right to riot, loot, rob, destroy or commit arson. If you engage in violent civil unrest and commit a federal crime in this district, we will come after you as hard as we can because residents deserve safe and secure neighborhoods, not mayhem.”

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Here is the original story on the arson of the police vehicles. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The violence is already beginning in Philadelphia.

Saturday afternoon, the Justice for George Floyd rally turned violent as protectors launched attacks on police.

Things started peacefully, with a tribute to Floyd early in the day.

Later in the afternoon, protestors marched down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum.

Many were holding signs demanding people speak up.

But as they left the iconic Rocky Steps, things started to heat up.

“The demonstrators exercising their first amendment rights at City Hall and the Art Museum did so peacefully,” tweeted Philadelphia police.

https://twitter.com/MensahDean/status/1266762946551701510

“We appreciate their voice and their manner of expression. However, since that time, others have convened in Center City and are committing criminal acts, including vandalism.

Those acts will not be tolerated, and we strongly encourage everyone to refrain from entering Center City. We will continue provide updates throughout the evening.”

Officials now say multiple police vehicles have been torched, including a state police car on Broad and Vine. State police say no troopers were injured in that attack.

As the unrest grew, the Friday’s restaurant building on the parkway was spray painted. 

They also vandalized a statue of former Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, spray painting it and trying to topple it and light it on fire.

Rizzo served from 1972 to 1980.

He was praised by supporters as tough on crime.

The 10-foot-tall bronze statue is outside the Municipal Services Building, across from City Hall.  It’s not the first time it’s been defaced before and is set to be moved next year.

According to Mayor Jim Kenney, he believes people have a right to gather and police will allow the protest as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.

Essentially, police suggest he wants to avoid the destruction seen in other protests around the country.

https://twitter.com/QuarantineTrac1/status/1266839554377613312

Black Lives Matter Philly says it has no affiliation with the noon City Hall protest, but a post on the

However, on the protest’s Facebook page said they will be peacefully protesting the lives that have been lost around the country by taking a knee – an act that took place at the Art Museum steps at 2 p.m.

“I want Philadelphians to know that Commissioner Outlaw and her team are committed to serving our community with fairness and sincerity.

Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we fail, but every day the public servants of this city are working to make Philadelphia safer for all of us to live,” Mayor Kenney said.

“Our commitment to you is that we continue to improve this level of service and everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

In the meantime, earlier on Saturday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joined mayors Jacob Frey and Melvin Carter to drop a bombshell report about the “protestors”.

The message was clear – they aren’t from around here.

The trio condemned violent protests in the state and blamed organized outside groups for promoting unrest.

 
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