A former Navy SEAL with neo-Nazi beliefs, Gregory Vandenberg, has been convicted of transporting explosives across state lines with the intent to use them against law enforcement during the "No Kings" protest in San Diego. The conviction, announced by federal prosecutors, follows a five-day trial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Vandenberg’s intentions were scrutinized. He is currently being held in custody until his sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled, and faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial that Vandenberg had traveled from El Paso, Texas, to California with a specific plan to harm police officers at the protest held on June 14, 2022. Investigators discovered messages on Vandenberg's phone where he expressed his anger towards former President Donald Trump, believing that the U.S. government was controlled by Israel and Jewish people. Notably, Vandenberg's phone featured the Taliban flag as its home screen image, suggesting his extremist views.
FBI agents testified regarding items found in Vandenberg’s vehicle, which included clothing and propaganda marked with anti-Israel slogans and neo-Nazi symbols. Among the items was a flag associated with the militant group Caucasian Front and a Latin inscription stating, "Judea must be destroyed." These findings paint a clear picture of his extremist ideology and violent intentions.
On June 12, 2022, Vandenberg stopped at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, where he purchased six large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers, which are designed to mimic the sound of gunfire. The store clerk noted that Vandenberg claimed to have significant expertise in explosives due to his prior experience with special operations forces. Alarmingly, he also discussed his plans to harm police during the upcoming protest and even encouraged the clerk to join him in these violent pursuits.
After his suspicious activities were reported by store employees, law enforcement officials apprehended Vandenberg on June 13 while he was sleeping in his car at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. During his arrest, he attempted to mislead FBI agents by stating he was traveling for work, despite being unemployed at the time and claiming he was visiting friends in Phoenix.
The charges against Vandenberg included transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, as well as attempted transport of prohibited fireworks into California. Following the trial, Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison issued a statement affirming the government's commitment to prosecuting individuals who use violence to express political ideologies. Ellison emphasized that while individuals have the right to hold and express their beliefs peacefully, the use of explosives for intimidation and terror will not be tolerated.
As the case moves forward, Vandenberg's actions and intentions underscore serious concerns regarding domestic extremism and the potential for violence linked to radical beliefs. His conviction highlights the judicial system's role in addressing threats posed by individuals with extremist ideologies and the importance of community vigilance in recognizing and reporting suspicious activities.
