Ex-Navy SEAL Planned Explosives at ‘No Kings’ Rally
A former Navy SEAL with neo-Nazi beliefs faces up to 10 years in prison after he was convicted of transporting fireworks across state lines with the intent to injure law enforcement at a “No Kings” protest in San Diego, authorities said.
FBI agents found messages on Gregory Vandenberg’s phone indicating he was upset with President Trump as he believed the U.S. government is controlled by Israel and the Jewish peopel, according to the Department of Justice.
Vandenberg,49,was planning on traveling from El Paso to San Diego to unleash harmful fireworks at a June 14 protest,prosecutors said.
Inside his car agents found T-shirts with a neo-Nazi symbol printed on them, a flag for the militant group the Caucasian Front, an Al Qaeda flag and a Latin message saying “Judea must be destroyed,” among other paraphernalia displaying anti-Israel and extremist beliefs, prosecutors said.
A former Navy SEAL has been charged with plotting to detonate explosives at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Long beach, California, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.Mark Steven domingo, 26, of West Hills, allegedly planned to attack a rally in 2023, motivated by extremist ideology.
Domingo, who served in the Navy from 2010 to 2014, faces federal charges of transacting in explosives with knowledge that they will be used to commit a crime, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. According to court documents, Domingo expressed support for violent extremism and discussed his plans with a confidential informant.
The criminal complaint details how Domingo allegedly attempted to purchase explosives and components for homemade bombs. He reportedly told the informant he wanted to create chaos and inflict casualties. Investigators found evidence linking Domingo to Al Qaeda, including a hat bearing the group’s calligraphy, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Here’s what we know about the case:
- The Target: A Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Long Beach, California, in January 2023.
- The Alleged Plotter: Mark Steven Domingo,a former Navy SEAL.
- The Charges: Transacting in explosives and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
- The Motivation: Allegedly driven by extremist ideology and a desire to cause harm.
If convicted, domingo could face up to 10 years in federal prison for the explosives charge and up to five years for possessing an unregistered destructive device. The examination was conducted by the FBI and the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
this is a developing story.Check back for updates.