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Press Release

Feds Arrest Two Militia Members Associated With The Boogaloo Bois

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – John Subleski, age 32, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Adam Turner, age 35, also of Louisville, Kentucky, were arrested by the Louisville Division of Federal Bureau of Investigation today, announced Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett.

“I commend the outstanding work of the Louisville FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and our state and local law enforcement task force member agencies who work tirelessly every day to identify, locate, and apprehend for prosecution individuals who jeopardize the peace and safety of the citizens of the Western District of Kentucky,” said Acting United States Attorney Michael A. Bennett. 

“FBI Louisville’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), and each of the member agencies, are committed to keeping our communities safe from violent extremists,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown.  “Today’s decisive action underscores the exceptional partnership and professionalism of our JTTF membership.  The citizens of the Commonwealth can take comfort in the fact we continue to work together every day to protect our communities from extremists seeking to do harm.” 

Subleski was charged in a criminal complaint with a violation of 18 United States Code, Section 2101, for using a facility of interstate commerce to incite a riot and committing an act of violence in furtherance of a riot.  The complaint against Subleski alleges that he was a member of the militia known as the United Pharaoh's Guard (UPG) who define themselves as Boogaloo Bois.  “Boogaloo” is a term referencing a violent uprising or impending civil war.  The complaint further alleges that on January 6, 2021, contemporaneous with the Capitol riots, Subleski incited a riot in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, through the use of social media and other electronic communications, and while inciting individuals to riot, he communicated through social media that it was “Time to storm LMPD.” 

The complaint further alleges that while rioting in downtown Louisville on the evening of January 6th, members of the Subleski’s group pointed rifles at the driver of a vehicle, blocked intersections, and barricaded a number of roads.  Most were openly wielding firearms at the time.  According to the complaint, later in the evening, Subleski is on video firing his rifle at a vehicle that drove through one of his group’s barricades and that Subleski fled the scene after firing his rifle at the vehicle.

Turner was charged in a criminal complaint with communicating a threat in interstate commerce in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 875(c).  The complaint against Turner alleges that he identifies himself as a member of the United Pharaoh’s Guard and the Boogaloo Bois.  The complaint further alleges that on December 25th, 2020, Turner while participating in a protest caravan driving through St. Matthews, confronted St. Matthews Police Officers following a traffic stop of the caravan and that during the confrontation Turner was openly carrying an AR-pistol and an additional hand gun.  According to the complaint, Turner was eventually arrested for menacing and resisting arrest.  Following the arrest, Turner made a number of Twitter and Facebook posts threatening police officers.

Subleski is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 17th at 2:30 p.m.   Turner is scheduled for a preliminary and detention hearing before a United States Magistrate Judge on February 17th at 12:00 p.m.

If convicted at trial, both Subleski and Turner face a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a 3-year term of supervised release.

The FBI Louisville’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), including member agencies Louisville Metro Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police, University of Kentucky Police Department, Covington Police Department, and the Internal Revenue Service investigated the cases with assistance provided by the FBI Indianapolis’ JTTF and the Louisville Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF).

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged and must be made under oath before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.  The charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a Court of law.

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Updated February 11, 2021