Fargo Man Acknowledges Guilt and Pleads Guilty to Civil Disorder during the May 30th, 2020, Fargo Riots

Fargo – United States Attorney Drew Wrigley announced that Errick Toa, age 31 of Fargo, ND, originally from California, pleaded guilty before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte, U.S. District Court, Fargo, ND, for the charge of Civil Disorder, 18 USC 231 (a)(3), during the riots in Fargo, ND.

On May 30, 2020, Toa participated in riots that erupted in Fargo in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. What started as peaceful protest in Fargo turned violent when rioters, including Toa, jumped on top of a Fargo Police Department vehicle causing extensive damage. In one instance, Toa is seen on video stomping on the windshield of an occupied police vehicle, shattering the windshield.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 13, 2021, before Chief Judge Peter D. Welte.

"Peaceful assembly and protest help form the foundation of our democracy, but intimidation is not speech, violence is not speech, and destruction is not speech" said US Attorney Drew Wrigley, "those who employ the tactics of hate and violence have crossed a bright red line and will be brought to justice."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fargo Police Department, and is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Richard Lee assigned to the case.

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