Federal prosecutors in Milwaukee have indicted a 20-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a gas station during rioting last year after a police officer fatally shot a black man.
The U.S. District Attorney’s Office announced the two-count indictment against Toronse Carter on Wednesday and issued a warrant for his arrest. He pleaded not guilty through a public defense attorney during his first appearance in federal court and is being detained without bail.
The charges stem from Carter’s alleged involvement in demonstrations that occurred in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park in the aftermath of the police shooting of 23-year-old Sylville Smith on Aug. 13, 2016.
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Carter faces two counts of arson and one of rioting. If convicted of all three charges, he faces at least 15 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Greg Haanstad says his office and the U.S. Department of Justice are committed to aggressively pursuing those who took part in criminal and violent conduct during the riots in Sherman Park.
Daniel Gregory of the Sherman Park Community Association says some local businesses and homeowners lost a lot of property value during the nights of unrest.
“I mean we’re talking about businesses building from the ground up. So, if there were some offenses committed and they seem to be very serious offenses, then as the association, we look for the prosecutors to pursue those charges,” Gregory said.
Prosecutors have already charged two other men suspected of participating in rioting and arson on Milwaukee’s north side.
A jury in June concluded that the officer who shot Smith, Dominique Heaggan-Brown, was justified in using deadly force.
Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, with original reporting by WPR staff.
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