Ex-Navy SEAL convicted of planning to fire explosives at police during San Diego ‘No Kings’ rally

A federal jury has convicted former Navy SEAL Gregory Vandenberg of transporting explosives across state lines with the intent to attack police officers during a protest in San Diego last year, federal prosecutors announced Monday.

Vandenberg, 49, was found guilty following a five-day trial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where prosecutors presented evidence of his plan to travel from El Paso, Texas, to California to harm law enforcement at the June 14 “No Kings” demonstration. The jury ordered him held in custody until sentencing, where he faces up to 10 years in prison.

During the trial, prosecutors outlined how Vandenberg’s actions were motivated by extreme ideological beliefs. FBI investigators discovered messages on his phone indicating his anger toward President Donald Trump stemmed from his belief that the U.S. government is controlled by Israel and Jewish people. His phone’s home screen displayed a Taliban flag.

Authorities testified that they found numerous items in Vandenberg’s vehicle bearing neo-Nazi symbols and anti-Israel messaging, including a flag representing the militant group the Caucasian Front and Latin text translating to “Judea must be destroyed.”

On June 12, Vandenberg stopped at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, where he purchased six large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers designed to mimic gunfire. While making these purchases, he boasted to the store clerk about his extensive knowledge of explosives and his background in special operations forces.

According to prosecutors, Vandenberg explicitly told the clerk of his plans to harm police officers at the upcoming demonstration in San Diego and even attempted to recruit the employee to join him. During this interaction, he wore a T-shirt bearing the word “Amalek,” which he claimed to have designed specifically to mean “destroyer of Jews.”

Store employees, alarmed by Vandenberg’s statements and purchases, recorded his license plate number and contacted authorities. Law enforcement arrested him the following day, June 13, while he was sleeping in his car at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. When questioned by FBI agents, Vandenberg claimed he was traveling for work and visiting friends in Phoenix, despite being unemployed and living in his vehicle.

The jury ultimately convicted Vandenberg on charges of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate, as well as attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic extremism and politically motivated violence in the United States. Law enforcement officials have increasingly focused on individuals with extremist ideologies who may pose threats to public safety or plan attacks at political events and protests.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison emphasized the significance of the verdict in a statement following the conviction. “People in this country are free to hold their own beliefs and to express them peacefully,” Ellison said. “What they are not free to do is use explosives to threaten or terrorize others. Vandenberg intended to turn explosives into a tool of intimidation.”

The conviction comes amid heightened national attention on political extremism and violence. Federal agencies have warned about the potential for domestic terrorism from various ideological sources, including white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups.

Vandenberg, who had no stable employment at the time of his arrest, appears to have been radicalized by extremist beliefs. His case illustrates the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying and preventing potential attacks before they occur, particularly when individuals operate alone rather than as part of organized groups.

A message left with Vandenberg’s attorney, Russell Dean Clark, seeking comment on the verdict was not immediately returned. The court has not yet scheduled Vandenberg’s sentencing hearing.