Ex-Navy SEAL convicted of planning to fire explosives at police during California No Kings' rally

"During a five-day trial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, prosecutors outlined Vandenberg's intention to travel from El Paso, Texas, to California to injure law enforcement officers at the June 14 rally. Investigators found messages on his phone indicating he was angry with President Donald Trump because he believed the U.S. government is controlled by Israel and the Jewish people, according to prosecutors. His home screen on his phone displayed a picture of the Taliban flag."

"FBI agents testified that they found clothing and paraphernalia in Vandenberg's car with anti-Israel slogans and neo-Nazi symbols, including a flag for the militant group the Caucasian Front and a message in Latin saying Judea must be destroyed. Vandenberg, 49, stopped at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, on June 12 and purchased six large mortar fireworks as well as 72 M-150 firecrackers, which are designed to sound like gunfire."

"He told the store clerk that he had significant knowledge of explosives and prior special operations forces experience, and he outlined his intentions to harm police at the upcoming demonstration, prosecutors said. Vandenberg, who had no stable employment and lived in his car, urged the clerk to join him, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office."

Gregory Vandenberg, a former Navy SEAL, was convicted of transporting fireworks across state lines with plans to shoot explosives at police during a San Diego No Kings protest. The verdict followed a five-day trial in Albuquerque. Investigators found phone messages blaming President Donald Trump because of beliefs that the U.S. government is controlled by Israel and Jewish people, and the phone displayed a Taliban flag. FBI agents seized clothing and paraphernalia with anti-Israel slogans and neo-Nazi symbols, including a Caucasian Front flag and a Latin message saying Judea must be destroyed. Vandenberg purchased large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers, told a clerk he had explosives knowledge and prior special operations experience, urged the clerk to join him, wore an Amalek T-shirt meaning destroyer of Jews, was identified after employees recorded his license plate, was arrested, is held in custody, and faces up to 10 years in prison.

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