CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video at the top of this story was originally published after Buchanan's arrest, which was first reported on June 12, 2020.
A man arrested for his alleged role in the May 2020 unrest within the city of Cleveland will stand trial in federal court this week.
Tandre Buchanan Jr. was arrested shortly after authorities released images of suspects who were wanted for various crimes in the city connected to the violence.
“Tandre Buchanan, Jr. crossed the line of what was supposed to be a peaceful protest in Cleveland on May 30th and engaged in criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith at the time of Buchanan’s arrest. “Buchanan violated the rights of a fellow Clevelander by breaking into her business, destroying her property and terrifying her and her employees as they hid inside.”
A federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a two-count indictment against Buchanan in July of 2020:
- One count of interference with commerce by means of robbery.
- One count of tampering with evidence.
“According to the indictment, on or about May 30, 2020, the defendant did and aided and abetted others in the unlawful obstruction of commerce by means of robbery,” according to a press release from the Department of Justice on July 24, 2020. “The defendant is accused of obtaining property in the custody, possession and presence of Colossal Cupcakes employees in downtown Cleveland. The defendant did so against the will of the employees by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of immediate injury.”
The press release alleged that Buchanan tampered with evidence when he disposed of the clothing he wore during the incident.
“The indictment states that the defendant did so with the intention of impairing the use and availability of the object in an official proceeding.”