A former U.S. Navy SEAL who prosecutors say meant to journey to San Diego to launch fireworks at regulation enforcement officers throughout “No Kings Day” protests final summer time was convicted by a federal jury in New Mexico.
Gregory Vandenberg bought six mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers with the intent of throwing them at officers in the course of the protests scheduled for June 14, 2025, based on the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico.
Prosecutors say Vandenberg was touring from El Paso to San Diego, however stopped at a New Mexico journey heart on June 12 to buy the fireworks.
While on the heart, Vandenberg “asked detailed questions about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, their explosive impact, and their ability to harm others,” based on prosecutors, who stated Vandenberg additionally inspired a retailer clerk to hitch him so they may throw the fireworks at regulation enforcement officers collectively in California.
“Vandenberg emphasized that he was not interested in the color or display of the fireworks — only in their ability to cause explosions and harm law enforcement,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.
Travel heart workers contacted police and offered Vandenberg’s license plate quantity. He was arrested in Tucson, Arizona the next morning.
Prosecutors allege {that a} search of his automobile turned up the fireworks and clothes that displayed “antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols — including a t-shirt with an image of the Al-Qaeda flag and a t-shirt calling for the destruction of Judea.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office additionally alleged that “violent and extremist content” was found following a search of his telephone, through which he expressed his ire towards the U.S. authorities.
Vandenberg was discovered responsible Friday of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and tried transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.
He faces as much as 10 years in jail.