Friday, July 16, 2021

Indictment unsealed in alleged plot to blow up Democratic headquarters

 

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The Justice Department on Thursday night unsealed an indictment against two California men who allegedly conspired to blow up Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California.

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2 charged, accused of planning to bomb Democratic headquarters

Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland were allegedly inspired by the unfounded belief that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, the court documents say.

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When investigators searched Rogers' house in January, he allegedly had five pipe bombs, which court documents say were live. They also allegedly seized between 45 and 50 firearms, including at least three fully automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Darrell Steinberg, John Burton, Kamala Harris, Jerry Brown standing in front of a crowd© Rich Pedroncelli/AP, FILE

In text messages obtained by investigators and included in the federal indictment, Rogers and Copeland allegedly laid out their plan to bomb the building.

"I want to blow up a Democrat building bad," Rogers wrote, according to the indictment.

They then discussed their target and Rogers said he was "thinking sac office first target," to which Copeland agreed.

John Burton et al. standing in front of a building: California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton speaks during the dedication of the John L. Burton California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento, Calif., June 16, 2014. Two men have been charged with plotting to blow up the headquarters.© Rich Pedroncelli/AP, FILE California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton speaks during the dedication of the John L. Burton California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento, Calif., June 16, 2014. Two men have been charged with plotting to blow up the headquarters.

"I agree. Plan attack," Copeland said, according to the court documents.

As the exchange concluded, Rogers allegedly wrote: "Let’s see what happens after the 20th we go to war."

Shortly after Rogers was arrested in January, court documents say that Copeland contacted a militia group that Rogers allegedly belonged to, and the group instructed Copeland to destroy his phone.

Rogers and Copeland were previously charged federally via criminal complaint for allegedly possessing explosive devices and wanting to go after Democrats, but the complaint did not mention a planned attack on the Sacramento Democratic headquarters.

text: A "White Privilege" card was allegedly found on a search of the suspect's home, as stated in a criminal complaint presented before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on Jan. 15, 2021.© District Court for the Northern District of California A "White Privilege" card was allegedly found on a search of the suspect's home, as stated in a criminal complaint presented before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on Jan. 15, 2021.

According to the complaint, investigators found a Three Percenters sticker on Rogers' truck. The FBI has said the Three Percenters is a "radical militia group" with ties to the Capitol siege. Investigators also said they found a "White Privilege Card."

A lawyer for Rogers declined to comment, and Copeland's lawyer could also not be reached.

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"Sad it’s come to this but I’m not going down without a fight," Rogers allegedly texted, adding, "These commies need to be told what’s up."

a close up of a sign: Prosecutors say this sticker representing the militia group "The Three Percenters" was allegedly found on Ian Rogers truck, as stated in criminal complaint presented before the US District Court for the Northern District of Calif., Jan. 15, 2021© District Court for the Northern District of California Prosecutors say this sticker representing the militia group "The Three Percenters" was allegedly found on Ian Rogers truck, as stated in criminal complaint presented before the US District Court for the Northern District of Calif., Jan. 15, 2021

The special agent who authored the complaint wrote that he believes the messages show an intent to cause violence to prevent now-President Joe Biden from assuming office.

Rogers also discussed plans to attack Twitter and Facebook for banning Trump and possibly California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

He faces additional weapons and explosives charges in Napa County.

"I hope 45 goes to war if he doesn’t I will," Rogers allegedly wrote.

ABC News' Mike Levine contributed to this report.

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