SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The U.S Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico, announced Monday that a former U.S. Navy SEAL has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for intending to use explosives against law enforcement officers at the June 14, 2025, “No Kings Day” protests in San Diego.
According to the District's office, 49-year-old Gregord Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego, California, when he stopped in Lordsburg, New Mexico, to buy fireworks two days before the protests.
Vandenberg purchased six large mortar fireworks, designed to shoot high into the air and explode, and 72 M-150 firecrackers, which are intended to simulate gunfire, at a travel center.
The press release says Vandenberg told the store clerk that he intended to throw fireworks at police officers at the protest, and even encouraged the clerk to join him. He asked detailed questions about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, their explosive impact, and their ability to harm others. He also discussed taping multiple fireworks together to increase their explosive impact.
According to the release, Vandenberg was not interested in the color or display of the fireworks—only in their ability to cause explosions and harm law enforcement.
Employees who were alarmed by Vandenberg's comments recorded his license plate and contacted law enforcement.
Vandenberg was later found in Tucson, Arizona, the following morning, and was arrested by federal agents while he was sleeping in his car at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
The District Attorney's office said Vandenberg initially claimed to be traveling for work and later falsely stated he was visiting friends in Phoenix that weekend, though he was unemployed at the time.
During a search of his vehicle, law enforcement found the purchased fireworks, along with clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols—including a t-shirt with an image of the Al-Qaeda flag and a t-shirt calling for the destruction of Judea.
Vandenberg was also seen wearing a t-shirt while buying the fireworks that stated “AMALEK,” a term meaning "destroyer of Jews."
According to the district attorney, Vandenberg's phone showed violent and extremist content, including antisemitic, anti-Israel and anti-U.S. materials, as well as messages discussing the upcoming protests. It also showed messages suggesting Vandenberg was upset with the U.S. government, including President Trump, because he viewed the U.S. government as being controlled by Israel and the Jews.
After a five-day trial in January, a federal jury convicted Vandenberg of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.
When Vandenberg is released from prison, he will be subject to one year of supervised release.
