ST. LOUIS (AP) - Two St. Louis men accused of planning bomb attacks during protests in Ferguson have been indicted on federal charges, the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis said Thursday.
Olajuwon Davis and Brandon Orlando Baldwin, both 22, are facing several charges, including conspiracy to use explosives and making false written statements while buying firearms. The indictment alleges the men conspired from September through Nov. 21 to obtain explosives, and Davis paid a deposit before both were arrested when they arrived at a location where they thought they'd be picking up the explosives.
"I need it ASAP brother," Davis allegedly told an undercover agent posing as the seller, according to the indictment.
Baldwin's attorney declined comment Thursday. Davis' attorney did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
The alleged transaction came less than a week before St. Louis County prosecutors announced a grand jury wouldn't indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Brown, who was unarmed during the confrontation, was black; Wilson is white. The shooting led to riots and protests in Ferguson that soon spread elsewhere in the St. Louis region and beyond.
No explosions occurred from the alleged plot between Davis and Baldwin, and the indictment doesn't name intended targets. A spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department declined comment beyond the indictment.
The indictment also alleges the men conspired to illegally obtain firearms for others at a Cabela's store in St. Louis County.
Both men are scheduled for a court hearing on April 17.