U.S. Department
of Justice
UNITED STATES vs. Levy-Armstrong et al.
Case Number: District of Minnesota 26-CR-25
Next Hearing Dates:
There are no upcoming hearings scheduled at this time.
Charges:
Count One: Conspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship 18 U.S.C. § 241
Count Two: Injure, Intimidate, and Interfere with Exercise of Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship U.S.C. § 248(a)(2),(b), § 2(a)
Summary of Offenses:
On the morning of Sunday, January 18, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Church's pastor was leading the congregation in a liturgical service. In that service, the Church's pastor and congregation were exercising and seeking to exercise their First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship, a right that is also protected by a federal statute codified at Title 18, United States Code, Section 248.
After the service commenced, a group of approximately 40 agitators, including all of the defendants named in this Indictment, entered the Church in a coordinated takeover-style attack and engaged in acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction alleged herein.
As a result of defendants' conduct, the pastor and congregation were forced to terminate the Church's worship service and congregants fled the Church building out of fear for their safety.
Please contact the Department of Homeland Security at spmtips@hsi.dhs.gov if you have not yet been interviewed as part of the investigation and wish to be.
Victim Rights Information:
Pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3771, the Department of Justice is required to provide notice to individuals who may have been harmed as a direct result of the criminal offenses of which a defendant has been convicted. This office uses the Victim Notification System (“VNS”) and other methods, including web pages and press releases, to ensure potential victims receive timely notice of public events related to a case. For more information, go to https://www.justice.gov/usao/resources/crime-victims-rights-ombudsman/victims-rights-act
Other federal laws, including the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act (“MVRA”), 18 U.S.C. § 3663A, and 18 U.S.C. § 2259, govern restitution in this case. Restitution is a determination by the judge that a victim is entitled to monetary compensation for losses suffered as a direct result of a crime for which a defendant has been convicted. It is not a guarantee of payment. In accordance with these laws, the judge at sentencing determines who is a victim and in what amount they are entitled to restitution.
Qualifying victims may be entitled to restitution for: medical and psychological/psychiatric services; necessary transportation, temporary housing, and childcare expenses; lost income; reasonable attorneys’ fees, as well as other costs incurred; and any other relevant losses incurred by the victim proximally caused by the defendant’s crimes. Compensable expenses incurred while participating in the criminal investigation or prosecution or traveling to court proceedings for the case may also be included, such as lost income, childcare, transportation, and other expenses.
Please contact the District of Minnesota US Attorney’s Office Victim Specialist, Christina Busse, at 612-664-5715 or christina.busse@usdoj.gov if you have questions about the case, providing victim impact statements and/or requesting restitution.
Victim Resources:
- Minnesota Crime Victims Reimbursement Program
- Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline and General Support for Crime Victims
https://dayoneservices.org/crime-victims/crime-help-mn/
- Minnesota Services and Resources
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/help-for-crime-victims/Pages/victim-service-provider-directory.aspx