Man to plead guilty in fire at Grand Forks Somali restaurant

Wednesday April 20, 2016

Matthew Gust

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - A Minnesota man says he will plead guilty to starting a fire at a Somali restaurant across the North Dakota border in Grand Forks.

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Twenty-five-year-old Matthew Gust of East Grand Forks is charged with use of a destructive device during a crime of violence and malicious use of an explosive device. He faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

Authorities say the Dec. 7 fire at the Juba Coffee House was started by a homemade explosive and caused an estimated $90,000 in damage. Vandals had earlier spray-painted what some have described as a Nazi-like symbol on the business, but investigators don't know if that's connected to the fire.

Dozens of people of different faiths showed up for a candlelight ceremony outside the cafe a day after the fire.

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