GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A man who pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for firebombing a Somali restaurant in Grand Forks is asking to be released to his parents or a residential treatment center before his sentencing hearing.
Federal authorities say that Matthew Gust, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, targeted the Juba Coffee House because of the nationality of the employees and customers. Gust has denied that the December incident revolved around race, but pleaded guilty to a pair of charges.
Gust’s plea agreement calls for 15 years in prison.
Defense attorney Ted Sandberg says Gust wants to be placed in a setting that will help him with his sobriety and allow him to work. Sandberg says Gust wants to “prove himself to the court.”
Federal prosecutors were not available for comment.
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