Two men have been charged in connection with alleged plans to detonate a bomb at the headquarters of the Democratic Party in California after last year’s presidential election.
Ian Benjamin Rogers, 45, of Napa, and Jarrod Copeland, 37, of Vallejo, California, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to destroy a building with «incendiary devices» and obstruction of justice. According to prosecutors, they planned the attack after the elections in November 2020 and even contacted a certain far-right group to enlist support.
The most serious of the charges carry a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
According to authorities, Copeland admitted that he discussed plans to attack Democrats with Rogers, but claimed that he did not take these conversations seriously and thought that Rogers was «letting off steam.»
Rogers was arrested and charged in January with allegedly possessing five homemade bombs, while prosecutors said they also found bomb-making materials and operating instructions in his possession. In addition, investigators found a cache of more than 50 weapons in his possession.
Prosecutors reject Copeland’s claims that he didn’t take Rogers ‘ plans seriously, and instead say he encouraged him by advising him to «plan an attack» and at one point saying, «Let’s see what happens after the 20th when we go to war,» according to NPR.
The Ministry of Justice also claims that the defendants » understood that they would be considered as internal terrorists, and hoped that their violent actions could be the beginning of a movement to overthrow the government.»
They are due to appear in court next week.
