Brainerd man who helped burn MPD 3rd Precinct sentenced to 4 years in prison, owes $12M in restitution

Tommy Wiita

Dylan Shakespeare Robinson from a prior crime in April 2016.[Crow Wing County ]

A Brainerd man has been sentenced for his role in the arsons committed at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building last year.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota, 23-year-old Dylan Shakespeare Robinson will serve four years (48 months) in prison. As part of his sentencing, he will also serve two years of supervised release and owe $12 million in restitution. Robinson also will serve his sentencing in a Duluth corrections facility.

Court documents state on the night of May 28, 2020, Robinson went to the Third Precinct where a crowd of hundreds had gathered. At one point, the crowd began shouting, "Burn it down, burn it down." Soon after, a fence that was designed to keep people out of the building was torn down. Robinson, along with other co-conspirators, breached the fence and entered the building. Robinson lit an object held by the unidentified co-conspirator who threw it toward the Third Precinct building with the intent that it would start a fire or fuel an existing fire.

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"On the night of May 28, 2020, Mr. Robinson chose to depart from lawful protest and instead engaged in violence and destruction. The arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct put lives at risk and contributed to widespread lawlessness in Minneapolis," said acting U.S. Attorney Anders Folk. "With today’s sentence, Mr. Robinson is held accountable for his actions."

On Dec. 15, 2020, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson.

Co-conspirators Bryce Michael Williams, 27, Davon DeAndre Turner, 25, and Branden Michael Wolfe, 23, have all pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit arson for their roles in the arson at the Third Precinct building. They are expected to be sentenced at a later date.