CHICAGO (CBS) – A judge will sentence Chicago for inciting riots and inciting people to rob downtown.
Prosecutors say James Messi posted on Facebook messages and videos in which August 10, 2020 encourages people to meet to head downtown. He faces up to five years in prison.
In May 2021, U.S. District Court James Messi was charged with using an interstate retail facility to incite riots. His conviction carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.
Prosecutors said that on Sunday, August 9, 2020, Messi posted messages and videos on Facebook urging people to drive downtown to rob and damage property. In the early hours on Monday, August 10, 2020, many people robbed retail stores in Loop, South Magnifier, Magnificent Miley, River North, Streetville, Gold Coast, the Clayburn Corridor and Lincoln Park, as well as other areas.
The prosecutor’s office said Messi encouraged people to meet at a certain place and travel together downtown. Several people responded to reports throughout the night to plan, among other things, where they would rob, prosecutors said.
The looting came after Chicago police shot dead a man in Englewood who shot at officers. It was mistakenly said on social networks that he was an unarmed teenager.
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/james-massey-to-be-sentenced-tuesday-for-inciting-riot/
