Darby started working as an FBI informant in November 2007 , to infiltrate groups planning protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul , Minnesota . He gave the FBI information which led to the seizure of 34 homemade riot shields brought from Texas . Two activists from Texas , David McKay and Bradley Crowder , purchased materials for and constructed firebombs ( Molotov cocktails ) that they appear to have planned to use against state-owned vehicles . Evidence of the firebombs was seized in a raid by local police , which was supported by the FBI . At McKay and Crowder 's trial the question was raised whether Darby encouraged their escalation in violence . Specific claims about this were made by others in attendance at the protest ( e.g. , Gabby Hicks stated that Darby was " ... the one to suggest violence , when the rest of us clearly disagreed ... " and that " a s an older seasoned activist , Darby had a lot of sway over Crowder and McKay , making them susceptible to his often militant rhetoric " ) , suggesting that Darby acted as an '' agent provocateur '' . A former Darby girlfriend and various former colleagues allege that Darby informed for the FBI not due to patriotism or altruism , but for self-serving motives
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
Brandon Darby