Overview
- A federal jury found Gregory Vandenberg, 49, guilty of transporting explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and of attempting to bring prohibited fireworks into California.
- The court ordered him detained pending a sentencing date, and he faces up to 10 years in prison.
- Prosecutors said he stopped in Lordsburg, New Mexico, to buy six large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150s, told a clerk he planned to throw them at officers, asked about gunpowder, and discussed taping devices together.
- Store employees recorded his license plate and alerted authorities, leading agents to arrest him the next day at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson with the fireworks in his car.
- Investigators reported finding messages and paraphernalia expressing antisemitic and extremist views, including a Taliban phone screen, an Al Qaeda and Caucasian Front flag, and a shirt reading “Amalek.”