CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced June 20, that a man is facing federal charges after allegedly purchasing explosives and expressing plans to use them to harm law enforcement officers and government officials during protests in California.
Grzegorz Vandenberg, 48, of Texas, visited a travel center in Lordsburg, New Mexico, to purchase fireworks, according to court documents. During the transaction, Vandenberg requested assistance in selecting fireworks that could be thrown directly at people to cause harm.
He told store employees that he was prior special forces military and claimed he could make pipe bombs.
Vandenberg further stated that he was traveling to Los Angeles for the protests, with the intent to kill law enforcement officers or government officials.
Vandenberg invited employee to join him and platoon in California
Store staff reported that Vandenberg asked for the largest explosives available and invited an employee to join him and his platoon in California.
He also claimed to have mortar explosives in his possession and reiterated his plan to use them at the riots to kill officers.
Vandenberg purchased six mortars, each containing 60 grams of gunpowder, and 36 large fireworks before leaving the store in a vehicle with Montana license plates, heading west on Interstate 10.
Could face up to 10 years in federal prison
Vandenberg is charged with transporting explosives in interstate commerce with the knowledge and intent that they would be used to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
If convicted of the current charges, Vandenberg faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
“Our message is clear: If you come after law enforcement officers, the FBI will spare no effort to find you and bring you to justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
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 announced June 20, that a man is facing federal charges after allegedly purchasing explosives and expressing plans to use them to harm law enforcement officers and government officials during protests in California.){kind=link}