ALBUQUERQUE (VINnews) — A former U.S. Navy SEAL was sentenced Monday to 16 months in federal prison after transporting explosives to California with the intent to use them against law enforcement officers during a protest, in a case prosecutors said was driven by extremist and antisemitic beliefs.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, Gregory Vandenberg, 49, traveled from El Paso, Texas, toward San Diego ahead of the June 14, 2025, “No Kings Day” protests. While stopping at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, he purchased six large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers.

Authorities said Vandenberg told store employees he planned to throw the explosives at police officers during the protests. He allegedly asked detailed questions about the fireworks’ explosive power, discussed combining them to increase their force, and encouraged the clerk to attend the protest and distribute fireworks to others.

Alarmed by his statements, employees recorded his license plate and contacted law enforcement.

The following morning, FBI agents arrested Vandenberg while he was sleeping in his vehicle at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.

A search of his vehicle uncovered the fireworks along with clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist imagery, including a shirt bearing the Al-Qaeda flag and another calling for the destruction of Judea. Investigators also found that the home screen of his cellphone displayed the Taliban flag. According to prosecutors, Vandenberg wore a custom-made shirt reading “AMALEK,” which he described as meaning “destroyer of Jews.”

A review of his cellphone uncovered antisemitic, anti-Israel, anti-American, and extremist material, including messages expressing hostility toward Jews and Israel. Prosecutors said the evidence showed Vandenberg believed the U.S. government was controlled by Jews and Israel and that those beliefs motivated his plan to target law enforcement officers.

Following a five-day trial, a federal jury convicted Vandenberg in January of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.

In addition to the 16-month prison sentence, Vandenberg will serve one year of supervised release after completing his prison term. Federal sentences do not include parole.