Beltway Area Indymedia

As of Thursday, July 12, a DC grand jury has yet to return an indictment for the armed anti-immigrant member of the Herndon Minutemen, Tyler Froatz.

Froatz was arrested on May 1st, after assaulting individuals at an immigrants' rights rally at Malcolm X Park. Upon arrest, numerous weapons, including a converted, fully automatic M1 carbine rifle, were discovered to be in his possession. A later search of his NW apartment, at 5320 8th St NW (Apt. 107), yielded several more illegal weapons.

Protestors demanded he be held at his May 17th DC Superior Court hearing before Judge James Boasberg. Judge Boasberg, citing fears of public safety, ordered the anti-immigrant racist to be held until his court date on June 20.

Despite Froatz's proven danger to society, stated desire to kill immigrants, and possession of the weapons to carry it out, Judge Boasberg ordered that Froatz be released at his June 20th hearing. At this hearing, prosecutor Patrick McMartin said that he expected a grand jury to return an indictment in 2-4 weeks.

It is now July 12, and 3 weeks have passed since Froatz's last court appearance. Why has the grand jury not returned an indictment? Would an immigrant in Froatz's position still be awaiting the return of an indictment? Would an armed immigrant or African-American have been released like Froatz? What is Froatz now doing at his parents Wayne, NJ home (3 Shore Road Wayne, NJ)? Will his skin color grant him immunity from the law? All of the answers to these questions remain to be seen.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.