Matthew Banta, who is known to be an Antifa leader and who goes by the name “Commander Red,” was arrested after police caught him bringing a flamethrower to a riot.
Matthew Banta, who is known to be an Antifa leader and who goes by the name "Commander Red" was arrested after police caught him bringing a flamethrower to a Black Lives Matter rally in Wisconsin, New York Post reports.
According to officials, Matthew "Commander Red" Banta dropped into a fetal position and began crying before being detained by police.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette says Banta was caught carrying smoke grenades, firework rockets, and a flamethrower.
The 23-year-old Neenah, Wisconsin native has a Green Bay arrest record that says he is known to be a "violent Antifa member who incites violence", according to WBAY.
In the criminal complaint, police wrote that the "Red Commander" was spotted with “a whole bunch of white people with sticks, baseball bats and helmets" and that they were headed towards a planned BLM protest in Green Bay.
According to police, Banta was out on a $10,000 cash bond after he was accused of pointing a loaded gun at a police officer in August.
Police say Banta can't have a dangerous weapon while on bond. Court records show he was released on Monday night on a $2,500 bond.
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