A former U.S. Navy SEAL has received a prison sentence following a failed plan to attack police officers with explosives during a “No Kings” protest in California. This came after a store clerk tipped off federal agents about his activities.
Gregory Vandenberg, who is 49 years old, was found guilty by a jury after a five-day federal trial. He was charged with transporting explosives intended to kill or intimidate as well as trying to bring prohibited fireworks into California, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico.
The jury took about three hours to reach their verdict.
Prosecutors explained that Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego in advance of the June 14, 2025 protest. He stopped at a travel center near Roseburg, New Mexico, where he bought six mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers.
While making his purchases, Vandenberg reportedly told a store employee he planned to use the explosives against law enforcement during the protests. Authorities also noted that he was curious about the gunpowder quantities in the fireworks and whether combining mortars would enhance their explosive power, focusing solely on their potential to harm officers.
During the trial, it was revealed that Vandenberg encouraged store employees to join the protests and distribute the fireworks to others, assuring them that he wouldn’t be hurt due to his military background.
This conversation raised concerns for the employee, who took down Vandenberg’s license plate and contacted the authorities before he could reach California.
Federal agents tracked Vandenberg to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and arrested him the following morning while he was sleeping in his vehicle.
Prosecutors claimed he falsely asserted that he was traveling for work, even though he was unemployed, and later said he was visiting friends in Phoenix.
A search of his car uncovered items including clothes with extremist symbols and fireworks. Some of the clothing featured the al-Qaeda flag, anti-Semitic messages, and references to neo-Nazi ideologies.
The jury also viewed a photo of Vandenberg taken at the travel center while wearing a custom T-shirt inscribed with “AMALEK,” which he reportedly explained meant “destroyer of the Jews.”
Also on his cell phone, authorities found a Taliban flag as the home screen image, along with what prosecutors described as extremist content related to anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-American sentiments, including messages discussing forthcoming protests.
Prosecutors argued that these messages indicated Vandenberg believed that the U.S. government, including then-President Donald Trump, was under the influence of Israel and Jewish individuals, which they stated helped clarify his reasons for targeting law enforcement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison emphasized that while people are free to hold and express their beliefs, using explosives to threaten or intimidate others crosses a line. He mentioned that Vandenberg aimed to use the explosives as a means of intimidation, adding that the ruling serves as a warning against resorting to violence for expressing one’s views, bringing severe federal consequences.
Ultimately, Vandenberg was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison, where he remains detained. After serving his time, he will be subject to one year of supervised release.
