Man accused in fire at Somali restaurant appears in court

Wednesday January 20, 2016

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A Minnesota man accused of starting a fire that heavily damaged a Somali restaurant in Grand Forks made his first appearance Tuesday on a federal complaint.

Matthew Gust, 25, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, is facing two federal charges — use of a destructive device during a crime of violence and malicious use of an explosive device. On the first charge, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and minimum mandatory term of 30 years.

"We're just kind of monitoring the process as it goes through," defense attorney Ted Sandberg told The Associated Press. "The case hasn't even gotten in front of a grand jury yet."

Federal prosecutors declined to comment.

Authorities say the Dec. 7 fire at the Juba Coffee House was started by a homemade explosive made from a 40-ounce beer bottle and caused an estimated $90,000 in damage. It happened three days after vandals spray-painted what some have described as a Nazi-like symbol on the business, along with the words "go home." Investigators say they do not know if the vandalism and the fire are connected.

Dozens of people of different faiths showed up for a candlelight ceremony outside the cafe a day after the fire. The FBI announced about that time that it had joined the investigation.

A federal affidavit says a witness identified Gust from surveillance video at a Grand Forks gas station about 30 minutes before the fire. Gust was driving a vehicle registered to his mother and allegedly pumped 81 cents worth of gas, or about 45 ounces. Investigators later recovered a facemask in the vehicle similar to one seen on video at the Juba Coffee House.

Investigators found blood at the scene that suggested the suspect was injured while striking the window or throwing the explosive device. A video obtained from a restaurant where Gust worked showed him treating cuts to his hand and wrist the day after the fire, the document said.

Gust was first charged in state court with felony arson, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. That case has been closed.

A detention hearing is scheduled Friday.

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