Midwest
Navy vet charged with hate crime for smashing satanic statue in Iowa Capitol gets support from conservatives
Navy Reserve veteran Michael Cassidy received wide-spread support from conservatives and other notable figures after being charged with a hate crime for destroying a satanic statue that was erected at the Iowa state Capitol.
Notable figures like Elon Musk and Chaya Raichik, creator of Libs of TikTok, came to Cassidy’s defense after news of him being charged broke on Tuesday. Many who spoke out in support of Cassidy, lamented how left-wing protesters, who destroyed and vandalized statues of American historical figures, didn’t face the same stiff penalties that Cassidy now faces.
Local Iowa outlets reported that Polk County prosecutors accused Cassidy – who destroyed the statue in December – of violating the state’s hate crime statute and charged him.
NAVY VET DEFENDS BEHEADING IOWA CAPITOL’S SATANIC BAPHOMET STATUE: ‘CHRISTIAN CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE’
The Christian man who destroyed a statue of Baphomet at the Iowa state Capitol in December was recently hit with a hate crime charge for the offense. (Rep. Jon Dunwell)
The statue, depicting the horned demon Baphomet, was erected in the Capitol building by the Satanic Temple of Iowa as a religious display and therefore allowed to be there during the holidays under state rules.
After destroying the statue, Cassidy was initially cited for criminal mischief in the fourth degree and released after he told security that he had destroyed the statue. The felony hate crime charge was added Tuesday because according to a spokesman for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, the evidence indicated that Cassidy destroyed the statue for religious reasons.
“Evidence shows the defendant made statements to law enforcement and the public indicating he destroyed the property because of the victim’s religion,” Polk County Attorney’s Office spokesperson Lynn Hicks said.
The new charge means that Cassidy faces up to five years in prison. One of his lawyers, R. David Younts, told Fox News Digital, “It is deeply disappointing that my client is being targeted with this type of charge. His nonviolent actions were motivated by his sincere and deeply held religious faith.
“Nothing he did was targeted at any specific individual or organization. I hope that as the DA’s office carefully reviews the facts of this case they will dismiss the charge,” Younts added.
THE RISE OF THE SATANIC TEMPLE IN 2023
The statue of Baphomet was erected in the Capitol building by the Satanic Temple of Iowa last December. (Getty Images)
The official Libs of TikTok X account came to Cassidy’s defense and called out a perceived double standard in the U.S. justice system.
Mentioning the Black Lives Matter rallies of 2020, it stated, “Violent activists tore down dozens of statues including Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. None were held accountable or charged with a hate crime. Michael Cassidy knocks over a Satan statue made out of household items and gets charged with a hate crime.
“Welcome to America’s 2-tier-justice system. The police state made it clear who they worship. Wokeness and Satanism is the new religion,” the account added.
Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk weighed in on Cassidy’s legal charge, asking, “What has become of America?”
“It’s okay to hate Satan,” The Blaze columnist Auron MacIntyre wrote.
Pro-Trump influencer “DC Draino” mentioned a double standard here as well, posting, “Under the Biden regime: Razor wire is good for stopping Americans but bad for stopping illegal aliens. Statues of US Presidents can be torn down but touching statues of Satan is a hate crime. Violent criminals aren’t arrested but defending yourself will get you locked up. Insane.”
Libertarian commentator “Sal the Agorist” noted, “Destroy a statue of Robert E. Lee & you’ll get political points on MSM. Behead a statue of Satan & you’ll get charged with hate crime.”
The Post Millennial editor-in-chief Libby Emmons made a similar point, writing, “Statues of Jefferson, Washington were both torn down bc of hatred of white men. But the guy who tears down a statue of Satan is charged with a hate crime.”
“It’s now a crime in America to hate Satan,” conservative digital strategist Greg Price said.
“It was never mentioned that the trans Nashville shooter who specifically targeted Christian children committed a hate crime, but knocking over a statue of Satan is. America has fallen and we’re left to pay the price,” former NCAA athlete and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines wrote.
“Hate crime?!?!? Are you kidding me. Satan has NO PLACE in our state capitol,” conservative commentator Graham Allen said.
Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.
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Midwest
‘Family Mob’ gang members, associates charged in major Minneapolis fentanyl trafficking case: DOJ
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Five alleged members and associates of the “Family Mob” street gang have been charged in a major fentanyl trafficking case in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Three indictments and two criminal complaints were unsealed in the District of Minnesota accusing the defendants of distributing fentanyl, crack cocaine and other controlled substances in south Minneapolis.
Authorities allege the group collectively possessed with intent to distribute more than seven kilograms of fentanyl since July 2025 and operated a de facto open-air drug market near Lake Street and Park Avenue, using force to push out other dealers.
Those charged include Silk Lamond Davis, 48, of Minneapolis; Alexisus Jarmon Mosby, 44, of Bloomington; Kiron Jamoll Williams, 43, of Minneapolis; Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, 44, of Minneapolis; and Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, 38, of St. Paul.
Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)
The charges range from possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine to distribution of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Law enforcement agencies executed multiple arrest and search warrants Wednesday morning targeting the gang and its members, officials said.
If convicted, the defendants face penalties of up to life in prison on the most serious drug trafficking charges.
FBI BUSTS LATIN KINGS GANG NATIONWIDE, NEARLY 50 ARRESTED IN SWEEPING CRACKDOWN
Federal and local law enforcement announced that they seized 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (KMSP)
“Our investigation shows that combined, those charged were responsible for the distribution of enough fentanyl for more than 3.5 million lethal doses in the last seven months,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen at a press briefing.
He told reporters that seven others were also taken into custody on related state charges, bringing the total number arrested to 12.
Rick Evanchec, interim special agent in charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office, said the coordinated operation to dismantle the “Family Mob” gang involved a sweeping, multi-agency effort across the metropolitan area.
Before dawn, eight SWAT teams and law enforcement personnel from the FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed 14 search warrants targeting narcotics, firearms and other evidence tied to the alleged criminal enterprise.
DEM VOTERS WERE LESS ENTHUSIASTIC WHEN TRUMP TOUTED CRACKDOWN ON CARTELS AND FENTANYL, SOTU DIAL REVEALS
Seized narcotics are displayed as authorities announce the preliminary results of a large-scale investigation involving local and federal agencies on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)
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Evanchec said the gang has operated since the 1990s, distributing narcotics and using violence to control territory in Minneapolis neighborhoods.
“The Family Mob Gang ruled by intimidation and violence, and wrongly assumed they could operate with impunity,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said in a statement. “Today, the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement imparted a significant blow to the drug trafficking efforts of a gang that has spread poison through a beloved Minneapolis community.”
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Detroit, MI
Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to extend their point streak to a dozen games on Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.
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When: Saturday, February 28
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More
Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App
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Canes Record: 37-15-6 (80 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)
Canes Last Game: 5-4 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Feb. 26
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Red Wings Record: 34-19-6 (74 Points, T-2nd – Atlantic Division)
Red Wings Last Game: 2-1 Win (OT) over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Feb. 26
Milwaukee, WI
Landmark Credit Union Live officially opens in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – Landmark Credit Union Live, Milwaukee’s newest concert venue, opened its doors on Friday. And with the Bucks playing next door at the same time, the whole area was hopping.
What they’re saying:
Fans flocked to Fiserv Forum to watch the team play the New York Knicks, and music lovers stood in line to see Rainbow Kitten Surprise on the opening night of Landmark Credit Union Live.
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“Very busy, very crowded the bars and restaurants,” said Ashley Evans. “That’d be great to add to the city again, to continue to bring more tourists out.”
“This is going to be amazing. I’ve been wanting to see them for a very long time, so I’m very excited,” said Rachel Lococo.
Fans line up for the official opening of Landmark Credit Union Live
Landmark Credit Union Live can host up to 4,500 people. Friday night’s show was sold out, drawing fans from places like Chicago, Minnesota, Iowa and elsewhere.
“Some people have driven from Indiana, so there’s a lot of people coming out tonight,” said Kade McCane, who came from Madison. “Honestly, really exciting to be among the first people who get to be there, and for RKS to be among the first people who will ever perform here, I hope this venue gets huge and big and becomes very popular.”
The excitement was felt all around Milwaukee. Even the competition rolled out the welcome mat.
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“Our goal to grow as a city means that a lot of things have to happen. This is the very, tiny, small work that has to happen,” said Gary Witt, president and CEO of The Pabst Theater Group, which runs six nearby venues.
“The introduction of any new business in the city, especially one that pays attention to the fact that we have spent 24 years growing the live culture economy in the city of Milwaukee, says to me that we’ve done our job.”
Witt said live entertainment is an industry Milwaukee’s economy has been dependent on coming from visitors like those who turned out Friday.
The Source: FOX6 News interviewed the people in this story and referenced prior coverage related to the opening of Landmark Credit Union Live.
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