Beltway Area Indymedia

Today, Thursday, May 17, in DC Superior Court, at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Judge James Boasberg denied Tyler Froatz Jr.'s request to be released pending trial.

Demonstrators appeared outside of the courthouse to denounce Mr. Froatz and the racist ideology of the Minuteman Project. With signs and fliers, they informed passers by of the details of Mr. Froatz's case, and information about the anti-immigrant Minuteman Project. Many observers indicated their disgust for the racist ideology of the Minuteman Project, and for the threatening actions of Mr. Froatz.

Mr. Froatz, a member of the Herndon Minutemen, was arrested after assaulting, both verbally and physically, attendees of an immigrants' rights rally in Malcolm X Park on May 1. Mr. Froatz was found to have numerous weapons on his person, as well as in his vehicle, along with anti-immigrant literature. After his arrest, police seized numerous weapons from his 8th St. NW Apartment, at 5320 8th St. NW, Apt. 107, including nearly a dozen unregistered rifles, a grenade launcher, and several other weapons.

Today, the Minuteman appeared in court again, facing charges of carrying a dangerous weapon, with additional charges pending. Appearing in the standard blaze-orange jumpsuit, for a felony status conference, his attorney, Public Defender Matthew Mazur, attempted to argue for his release. As Mr. Froatz waved to his parents, in attendance, Mr. Mazur attempted to downplay the seriousness of Mr. Froatz's actions. Saying that many of Mr. Froatz's weapons were antiques, Mr. Mazur attempted to argue that the arsenal of weapons found in Mr. Froatz's 8th Street NW apartment were more of a 'museum collection' than a functional arsenal, and that Mr. Froatz would pose no danger to the community if released into the custody of his parents, of Wayne, NJ. It was correctly pointed out by US Attorneys Patrick Martin and Andrew Lopez that many of guns and other weapons found in Mr. Froatz's apartment were functional, dangerous, unregistered firearms. Judge Boasberg concurred with the government, saying that he felt “...(the weapons) were not usable in any way other than offensive criminal conduct.”

Citing the “...stunning number of weapons (found in Mr. Froatz's apartment)...”, the, “...serious weapons on him, in the car, and in the house...”, the weight of the evidence against Mr. Froatz, and the antagonistic nature of Mr. Froatz's arrest, Judge Boasberg declined to release Mr. Froatz. Judge Boasberg went on to say that Mr. Froatz did indeed pose a danger to the community, and that people had reason to fear him.

Mr. Froatz is scheduled to appear again before Judge Boasberg on June 20, as the court awaits a return of his indictment from a grand jury (a practice required in all DC felony cases), again in DC Superior Court, at 500 Indiana Avenue, NW. Until then, Mr. Froatz will remain in the DC Jail, and out of our community.