A former U.S.Navy SEAL was convicted in a foiled plot to attack law enforcement officers with explosives during a "No Kings" protest in California after a store clerk's tip led federal investigators to him.Gregory Vandenberg, 49, was found guilty after a five-day federal trial of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California, according to the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico.Jurors deliberated for about three hours before returning the guilty verdict.Prosecutors said Vandenberg was driving from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego ahead of the June 14, 2025, demonstrations when he stopped at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, and purchased six mortar-style fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers.FORMER MARINE GETS 100 YEARS IN PRISON AS JUDGE CALLS ICE DETENTION CENTER AMBUSH 'AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY'Surveillance video shows Gregory Vandenberg speaking with a store employee while purchasing fireworks in New Mexico.Employees later contacted law enforcement after he discussed attacking officers at California's No Kings protests, federal authorities said.
(United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico)While making the purchase, Vandenberg told a store clerk he intended to throw the explosives at law enforcement officers during the protests, federal authorities said.He repeatedly asked about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, whether taping multiple mortars together would increase their explosive force and said he was interested only in their ability to injure officers, prosecutors said.'SOMETHING BIG': FEDS REVEAL HOW RELATIVES OF SUSPECTS IN FOILED WHITE HOUSE UFC PLOT SAW WARNING SIGNSGregory Vandenberg wears a shirt reading "AMALEK" while purchasing fireworks at a New Mexico travel center on June 12, 2025.(United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico)Vandenberg also encouraged the clerk to attend the protests an...