A former U.S. Navy SEAL was convicted in a foiled plot to assault legislation enforcement officers with explosives throughout a “No Kings” protest in California after a retailer clerk’s tip led federal investigators to him.
Gregory Vandenberg, 49, was discovered responsible after a five-day federal trial of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and tried transportation of prohibited fireworks into California, based on the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace for the District of New Mexico.
Jurors deliberated for about three hours earlier than returning the responsible verdict.
Prosecutors mentioned Vandenberg was driving from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego forward of the June 14, 2025, demonstrations when he stopped at a journey heart close to Lordsburg, New Mexico, and bought six mortar-style fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers.
Whereas making the acquisition, Vandenberg instructed a retailer clerk he meant to throw the explosives at legislation enforcement officers in the course of the protests, federal authorities mentioned.
He repeatedly requested concerning the quantity of gunpowder within the fireworks, whether or not taping a number of mortars collectively would enhance their explosive power and mentioned he was solely of their skill to injure officers, prosecutors mentioned.
Vandenberg additionally inspired the clerk to attend the protests and hand out fireworks to others, telling the worker he wouldn’t get damage due to his army expertise, based on trial testimony.
The dialog alarmed staff sufficient that they wrote down Vandenberg’s license plate and contacted legislation enforcement earlier than he reached California.
Federal brokers tracked Vandenberg to Davis-Monthan Air Drive Base in Tucson, Arizona, the place he was arrested the next morning whereas sleeping inside his automobile.
Prosecutors mentioned he falsely claimed he was touring for work regardless of being unemployed and later instructed investigators he was visiting associates in Phoenix.
A search of Vandenberg’s automobile uncovered the fireworks together with clothes displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel and extremist imagery, based on prosecutors.
Among the many objects recovered have been shirts bearing an Al-Qaeda flag, a shirt calling for the destruction of Judea, a hat that includes the Al-Qaeda flag and attire displaying a variation of the Black Solar, an emblem related to neo-Nazi ideology.
Jurors have been additionally proven pictures of Vandenberg carrying a custom-made T-shirt bearing the phrase “AMALEK” whereas contained in the journey heart. Prosecutors mentioned Vandenberg instructed investigators the phrase meant “destroyer of Jews.”
Investigators additionally found Vandenberg’s cellphone residence display displayed a Taliban flag. A forensic overview of the cellphone uncovered what prosecutors described as violent extremist content material, together with antisemitic, anti-Israel and anti-U.S. materials, in addition to messages discussing the upcoming protests.
In response to prosecutors, these messages urged Vandenberg believed the U.S. authorities, together with President Donald Trump, was managed by Israel and Jewish folks, proof they argued helped set up his motive for focusing on legislation enforcement officers.
“Individuals on this nation are free to carry their very own beliefs and to specific them peacefully,” Appearing U.S. Lawyer Ryan Ellison mentioned in an announcement. “What they aren’t free to do is use explosives to threaten or terrorize others.”
Ellison added that Vandenberg “meant to show explosives right into a software of intimidation,” and mentioned the decision “sends the message that makes an attempt to substitute violence for expressing one’s opinion has no place in our communities and will probably be met with federal penalties.”
Vandenberg was later sentenced to 16 months in federal jail, the place he stays in custody. Upon his launch, he’ll serve one yr of supervised launch.
