Escape charge filed against Moorhead man who participated in Fargo riot

FARGO (KVRR) – A Moorhead man who participated in the 2020 George Floyd-related riot in downtown Fargo is accused of escaping from a halfway house, just weeks before completing his sentence.

Jonathan Montanez was originally sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to civil disorder. Montanez jumped on top of a Fargo Police vehicle and slammed his fists on the vehicle, causing extensive damage.

An indictment unsealed Thursday says Montanez escaped from Centre, Inc. on January 13 and was scheduled to be released on February 7. He was originally released in June, 2022, but was serving additional time for previous release violations.

Montanez was arrested on May 15 and is being held in the Cass County Jail.