Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty to Bombing a Minneapolis Hair Salon

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty for maliciously using explosives to damage a Minneapolis hair salon, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.  

According to court documents, on November 20, 2022, at approximately 2:49 AM, a homemade explosive device detonated at a hair salon located in Minneapolis, causing damage to the exterior and interior of the business. A Ring video camera recording from the salon showed an adult male, later identified as Michael Allen Francisco, 59, placing the explosive device on the window of the salon. Francisco fled the area in a vehicle after the device detonated.

Almost a year later, on November 6, 2023, video footage captured Francisco vandalizing the same hair salon. Francisco threw a landscaping rock through the window of the salon, causing the window to break, before fleeing the scene. Investigators were able to collect DNA and other evidence that connected Francisco to both incidents. On March 28, 2024, officers and agents executed a search warrant at Francisco’s residence. Law enforcement recovered the jacket Francisco was wearing on November 6, 2023, during the brick incident; multiple explosive components including suspected energetic powders and fuses; a .32 caliber revolver, with ammunition; and methamphetamine. 

Francisco pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Ann D. Montgomery to one count of malicious use of explosive materials to damage and destroy, by means of fire and explosives, a Minneapolis-based property engaged in interstate commerce by means of an explosive device. 

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley M. Endicott is prosecuting the case.