The Department of Justice charged a Texas man on Wednesday with purchasing and transporting explosives with the intent to attack police officers in Los Angeles during the anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement riots last week.
Grzegorz Vandenberg, 48, allegedly asked store employees in New Mexico to assist him in selecting fireworks that could be used as weapons, telling employees that he was a special forces veteran, could make pipe bombs, and intended to take the explosives to use against police or government officials at the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles.
The case follows the charging of five other protesters by the DOJ on Tuesday, with those charges including felony counts of assault, vandalism, and grand theft.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Threats like these strike at the heart of law and order — we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against anyone who seeks to harm law enforcement or endanger the safety of our communities.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added, “Our message is clear: If you come after law enforcement officers, the FBI will spare no effort to find you and bring you to justice.”
ICE UPRISINGS: WHERE LA STANDS WITH PROSECUTING RIOTERS
State and local officials are also pursuing charges against violent anti-ICE rioters, with LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman saying Tuesday, “While we will always defend the right to peacefully protest, we will not disregard criminal behavior that puts the lives of officers and others at risk or compromises public safety.”
If Vandenberg is convicted of his current charges, he could face up to a decade in federal prison.