CLEVELAND — A 22-year-old Cleveland man was indicted Friday for his role in the looting and damage that happened following the George Floyd protests downtown on May 30.
A grand jury indicted Tandre Buchanan with one count of interference with commerce by means of robbery and one count of tampering with evidence.
Buchanan is accused of robbery at the Colossal Cupcakes store downtown during the unrest. He was arrested by FBI agents last month at his place of employment in Garfield Heights on a federal warrant for interference with commerce by threats or violence.
Eric Smith, Special Agent in Charge, said Buchanan crossed the line of what was supposed to be a peaceful protest and engaged in criminal activity.
“Buchanan violated the rights of a fellow Clevelander by breaking into her business, destroying her property and terrifying her and her employees as they hid inside,” Smith said.
Buchanan is also alleged to have tampered with evidence by disposing of the clothing that he wore during the crime. His arrest came one day after the FBI released photos of several individuals wanted for “significant property damage and looting, among other criminal violations.”
FBI seeking suspects wanted in Cleveland 'civil unrest' amid May 30 protests
“This indictment is part of the Department of Justice’s commitment to identify, arrest and prosecute those who participated in the widespread looting and damaging of downtown Cleveland on May 30th,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “As I’ve said all along in this process, where we have jurisdiction, federal charges will be brought against those who abused a constitutionally-protected assembly to commit acts of destruction and violence in the downtown Cleveland neighborhood.”
The investigation preceding this indictment was conducted by the FBI with the help of the Cleveland Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott C. Zarzycki.