Atlantic City Man Faces Federal Rioting Charge For Alleged Facebook Post Encouraging Riots During George Floyd Protest
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) -- Federal authorities charged an Atlantic City man Thursday with using social media to participate in and encourage rioting after investigators reviewed posts and video on his Facebook page. The charge stemmed from events Sunday night in Atlantic City where protesters gathered to decry the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer was recorded pressing his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes.
The Atlantic City protest began peacefully but eventually featured looting and vandalism at outlet stores in the city.
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According to a criminal complaint, police arrested Carlos Matchett at the scene and confiscated a folding knife, a hatchet and a jar containing what appeared to be gasoline.
The 30-year-old's Facebook page allegedly contained a post stating "LET'S START A RIOT", as well as a video Matchettfilmed showing him urging people to enter a store.
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The charge carries a maximum prison term of five years. No attorney was listed for Matchett, who was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday afternoon in Camden.
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