Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Acting United States Attorney W. Anders Folk today announced a federal criminal complaint charging THOMAS WILDER MOSELEY, 29, with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. MOSELEY will make his initial appearance on March 31, 2021, before Magistrate Judge Becky Thorson in U.S. District Court.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, on August 15, 2020, a protest took place at the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct building in south Minneapolis. The event became violent and destructive when individuals began throwing rocks and other objects, breaking windows, firing mortar-type fireworks at the building and at officers stationed on the roof, spray painting the building, and using paint to obscure the video surveillance cameras. After reviewing video surveillance footage, investigators were able to identify MOSELEY as one of the individuals who was spray painting the front windows of the building. The building sustained several thousand dollars’ worth of damages a result of the incident.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, on October 15, 2020, MOSELEY was present inside the Hennepin County Government Center where protesters had gathered during a court appearance for the four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd. Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested MOSELEY on probable cause based on his involvement in the August 15 incident. At the time of his arrest, MOSELEY was carrying a loaded handgun. MOSELEY was subsequently charged in Hennepin County District Court with possessing a dangerous weapon within a courthouse complex, a felony.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, following MOSELEY’s arrest, Minneapolis Police officers executed a search warrant at MOSELEY’s residence in Blaine, Minnesota, and recovered two firearms, more than 1,400 rounds of ammunition, 96 grams of marijuana, and other drug paraphernalia. Officers also obtained a search warrant for MOSELEY’s Toyota Tacoma, which was parked in downtown Minneapolis near the Government Center. Among other things, officers recovered from the vehicle five firearms, a large amount of ammunition, a hatchet, a crowbar, gas masks, and controlled substances, including marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, and cocaine.

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, while investigating MOSELEY for criminal damage to property at the 5th Precinct, officers observed on several occasions MOESLEY smoking marijuana. Following MOSELEY’s arrest on October 15, he was booked and held at the Hennepin County jail, where personnel ordered that he be given a bottom bunk for the first seven days due to “unknown medical” precautions and drug withdrawal symptoms.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber M. Brennan.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

THOMAS WILDER MOSELEY, 29

Blaine, Minn.

Charges:

• Possessing firearms and ammunition while being an unlawful user of, and addicted to, controlled substances, 1 count
   

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