Charges dropped for Jake Lang after Minneapolis riot arrest; Spider-Man protester charged
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, declined felony charges against Edward "Jake" Lang in connection with his Minneapolis rally arrest, saying prosecutors could not prove required intent.[1]
Moriarty said extensive evidence showed communication and logistical coordination between Minneapolis Police and Lang's security detail, a dynamic she said undercut a felony riot case.[1] She also noted an officer was struck by a truck, but police reports showed the officer did not believe the driver saw what was happening, which undercuts an assault theory that requires intent.[1] She said the Minneapolis City Attorney could still pursue misdemeanor or gross-misdemeanor charges against Lang.[1] A counterprotester who was dressed as Spider-Man has been charged with fifth-degree assault after video showed him striking Lang, and officials identified him as 33-year-old William Nicholas Love.[2] The Minneapolis City Attorney's Office filed the charge as fifth-degree assault — fear of bodily harm or death — and officials said no detailed complaint was yet on file.[2]
Lang's Minneapolis rally was held in support of Rochester woman Shiloh Hendrix, who was convicted after using a racial slur against a child; the crowd "quickly grew out of control." FOX 9 He also faces a delayed St. Paul felony vandalism case over a "Prosecute ICE" ice sculpture, has a Jan. 6 background and a Trump pardon, and held a Dearborn, Michigan rally that led to 22 arrests.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty formally declined felony charges against Edward "Jake" Lang, saying prosecutors lacked a path to prove requisite intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Moriarty said extensive evidence showed communication and logistical coordination between Minneapolis Police and Lang’s security detail, a dynamic she said undercut a felony riot case.
- Moriarty noted that while an officer was struck by a truck during the incident, police reports indicated the officer did not believe the driver saw what was happening, which undercuts an assault theory that requires intent.
- Moriarty emphasized that the Minneapolis City Attorney could still pursue misdemeanor or gross-misdemeanor charges against Lang.
- A counterprotester identified as 33-year-old William Nicholas Love (also reported as Nicholas William Love II), who was dressed as Spider-Man, has been charged with misdemeanor assault after video showed him striking Lang.
- The charge against the Spider-Man-costumed counter-protester was filed through the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office as fifth‑degree assault — fear of bodily harm or death — and officials said no detailed complaint was yet on file.
- Fox 9 coverage said Lang’s Minneapolis rally was explicitly in support of Rochester woman Shiloh Hendrix, who was convicted after using a racial slur against a child, and that the crowd "quickly grew out of control."
- Reporting also reiterated Lang’s broader background, including his St. Paul felony vandalism case over the "Prosecute ICE" ice sculpture (with a delayed trial), his Jan. 6 background and Trump pardon, and a recent Dearborn, Michigan rally that led to 22 arrests.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
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- Spider-Man-costumed counter‑protester is fully identified as 33‑year‑old William Nicholas Love.
- Article specifies the exact charge as fifth‑degree assault – fear of bodily harm or death – filed through the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office, with no detailed complaint yet on file.
- Adds fuller protest context: Lang’s Minneapolis rally was explicitly in support of Rochester woman Shiloh Hendrix, convicted after using a racial slur against a child; notes the crowd "quickly grew out of control."
- Reiterates Lang’s broader track record: his St. Paul felony vandalism case over the "Prosecute ICE" ice sculpture, the delayed trial, his Jan. 6 background and Trump pardon, and a recent Dearborn, Michigan rally that led to 22 arrests.
- Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty formally declined felony charges against Edward "Jake" Lang, citing lack of a path to prove requisite intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Moriarty said extensive evidence showed communication and logistical coordination between Minneapolis Police and Lang’s security detail, undermining a felony riot case.
- Moriarty stated an officer was struck by a truck but police reports indicate the officer did not believe the driver saw what was happening, undercutting an assault theory that requires intent.
- Moriarty emphasized that the Minneapolis City Attorney could still pursue misdemeanor or gross-misdemeanor charges against Lang.
- A counterprotester, Nicholas William Love II, who was dressed as Spider-Man, has been charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree assault after video showed him striking Lang.