Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – A former U.S. Navy SEAL who intended to use explosives against law enforcement officers at California protests and whose actions prosecutors argued were motivated by extremist, antisemitic beliefs was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
In January, following a five-day jury trial in Las Cruces federal court, 49-year old Gregory Vandenberg was found guilty of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California..
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on June 12, 2025, 49-year old Gregory Vandenberg, was traveling from El Paso, to San Diego to attend a “No Kings Day” protest. While traveling through New Mexico, Vandenberg stopped at the travel center off I-10 near Lordsburg. where he bought numerous fireworks including mortar fireworks.
The store clerk told authorities that Vandenberg told him that he intended to throw fireworks at police officers at the protest.
Employees recorded his license plate and contacted law enforcement.
Vandenberg was arrested in Tucson. A search of his vehicle found the fireworks, along with clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist imagery, including a shirt bearing the Al-Qaeda flag.
