FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A man accused of participating in violent demonstrations in Fargo during a protest over the death of George Floyd last summer pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court.
Errick Toa, 31, of Fargo, pleaded guilty to civil disorder for his role in the May 30 protests. Authorities say he jumped on top of a police vehicle and caused extensive damage. He is seen on video stomping on the windshield and shattering it, prosecutors say.
Sentencing is scheduled April 13.
“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,” U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said in a statement.
Protests took place around the country following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man, died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving.
A federal public defender did not immedidately return an email request for comment.
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