Former Navy SEAL Sentenced in Explosives Case; Prosecutors Cite Antisemitic Motive

Police found a custom-made shirt reading “AMALEK,” which prosecutors said Vandenberg described as meaning “destroyer of Jews.”

By Shula Rosen

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Gregory Vandenberg was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison after being convicted of transporting fireworks across state lines with the intent to launch them at law enforcement officers. Prosecutors said the plot was motivated by extremist and antisemitic beliefs.

Vandenberg, 49, also was sentenced to one year of supervised release following his prison term. Federal sentences do not include parole.

The case stemmed from events on June 12, 2025, when Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego, California, to attend a “No Kings Day” protest. During the trip, he stopped at a travel center near Lordsburg, New Mexico, where he purchased six large mortar fireworks.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office said evidence presented during the case showed the planned attack was driven by antisemitic and extremist ideology.

Authorities searching Vandenberg’s vehicle recovered the fireworks along with clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel and extremist imagery.

Among the items were a shirt bearing the Al-Qaeda flag, another calling for the destruction of Judea, and a custom-made shirt reading “AMALEK,” which prosecutors said Vandenberg described as meaning “destroyer of Jews.”

Investigators also found that the home screen on Vandenberg’s cellphone displayed the Taliban flag. A review of the device uncovered antisemitic, anti-Israel, anti-American and extremist material, including messages expressing hostility toward Jews and Israel.

According to prosecutors, 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 on charges of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California.

The prison sentence concludes the federal prosecution stemming from the June 2025 incident. In addition to serving 16 months in prison, Vandenberg will remain under federal supervision for one year after his release. Federal officials said the sentence does not include the possibility of parole.