COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A Kootenai County judge has dismissed charges against Thomas Rousseau, the founder and leader of the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front, for his alleged role in a conspiracy to violently disrupt a pride event in Coeur d'Alene.
31 members of the group were arrested last year after police found them in the back of a U-Haul truck, carrying homemade riot shields and smoke grenades. All 31 men were charged with conspiracy to riot, a misdemeanor. Court documents show law enforcement believed the group had a coordinated plan to riot, including checkpoints, drills, and scouts positioned at the event.
On November 3rd, Judge John Cafferty dismissed the charges against Rosseau. The Idaho Court Portal does not state specifics as to why the case was dismissed. An appeal was filed on November 21st.
Seven members of the group were found guilty in jury trials this year, while another 15 have pleaded guilty. One other member had the charges against him dismissed.
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