Feds to prosecute suspect in Grand Forks Somali restaurant arson

An East Grand Forks, Minn., man accused of setting fire to a Somali restaurant in Grand Forks now faces federal charges, but it remains unclear if the attack was a hate crime.

Matthew William Gust, 25, was charged with arson, a Class B felony, in Grand Forks County District Court after police say he started a fire on Dec. 8 that destroyed Juba Coffee House and Restaurant at 2017 S. Washington St. He was arrested Dec. 14 at a Super 8 Motel in Fosston, Minn.

Gust pleaded not guilty Friday to the arson charge in Grand Forks County District Court, according to court documents. Assistant State’s Attorney M. Jason McCarthy moved to dismiss that charge, as the case has been turned over to federal prosecutors, according to court documents.

Gust was charged Friday with malicious use of an explosive device and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence in federal court. He had faced a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the arson charge, but the federal charges increases that penalty.

Malicious use of an explosive device where only property damage occurs has a minimum sentence of five years and maximum of 20 years in prison. The use of a destructive device during a crime of violence charge carries a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Police say Gust filled a 40-ounce beer bottle with gasoline, broke the window of Juba and threw the bottle inside, resulting in an explosion that caused $90,000 in damage.

No one was injured in the fire.

Police obtained video from cameras at an unnamed gas station that showed Gust paid $3 in cash for gas but only pumped 81 cents worth of gas, or about 45 ounces, according to court papers.

Gust was seen on camera at Qdoba Mexican Grill in Grand Forks, where he was employed, being treated for “obvious injuries” to his right hand after the attack, which police said they believe he suffered from breaking Juba’s window, according to court documents.

Police found blood stains and a full face mask in the car Gust was driving that night, according to court documents. The mask had a distinctive seam and appeared to match the one the arsonist seen in a video from Juba’s cameras was wearing, police said.

Days before the incident, the words “go home” and Nazi-style symbols were painted on the store, though police have not said if the two incidents were connected.

There has been speculation that the motive behind the attack on Juba was inspired by anti-Muslim sentiment, especially after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslim immigrants from entering the country in response to a December shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., where a Muslim couple killed 12 people. Others have cited the November Paris attacks as a reason to halt or limit the immigration of Muslims to the U.S.

The arson also garnered national attention, with the Washington Post writing a December article on how anti-Muslim sentiment has grown in the country.

The fire also has sparked a call for the community to come together in acceptance of Muslims and other immigrants. A GoFundMe account to help the Juba owners was set up hours after the fire and has raised more than $24,000 in donations. Groups have also held events in support of Juba and inclusion in Grand Forks.

Ilham Hassam, one of the owners of the family-owned restaurant, said she is determined to rebuild Juba, but the business remains closed.

Gust’s first appearance in federal court is 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Grand Forks via video to Fargo. He is being held at the Grand Forks County jail.