2 Men Charged In Suspected Plot To Firebomb CA's Democratic HQ

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Two men were charged on Friday in connection with a conspiracy to firebomb and destroy the Golden State's Democratic headquarters, according to an indictment from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California.

Ian Benjamin Rogers, 45, of Napa and Jarrod Copeland, 37, of Vallejo, began planning to attack buildings associated with Democrats after the 2020 Presidential election, according to court documents. The pair also reportedly sought support from an anti-government militia group.

The two men were plotting to use explosives to attack "their targets" and sought to ignite a movement through the planned attacks, according to Department of Justice officials.

Last year, the two discussed the details of their plan to attack through multiple messaging apps, officials said. In late December of 2020, Rogets told Copeland "I want to blow up a democrat building bad," and Copeland agreed, according to the indictment. In another message, Rogers wrote: "after the 20th we go to war," in reference to the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.

In November of last year, Rogers also told Copeland that he would "hit the enemy in the mouth" using Molotov cocktails and gasoline to attack "targets associated with democrats," including the California Governor's Mansion and the John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento, according to court documents.

"Firebombing your perceived political opponents is illegal and does not nurture the sort of open and vigorous debate that created and supports our constitutional democracy,” U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds said in a statement. "The allegations in the indictment describe despicable conduct. Investigation and prosecution of those who choose violence over discussion is as important as anything else we do to protect our free society."

Just four days after the two men chatted about their plans and five days before the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, police searched Roger's home and business, where they found a cache of weapons. Officers seized 45 to 50 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and five pipe bombs.

Copeland also attempted to destroy evidence of the plan, officials said.

"After Rogers’s arrest, Copeland communicated with a leader of a militia group who advised Copeland to switch to a new communications platform and delete everything he had," officials said. "Copeland agreed and when law enforcement obtained Copeland’s devices on January 17, Copeland’s communications with Rogers were missing."

Rogers, arrested Jan. 15, has remained in custody while Copeland was arrested Thursday. Both men were charged with conspiracy to destroy a building affecting interstate commerce by fire or explosive. Rogers was charged with several more weapons violations.

If convicted, the pair face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge, according to Justice officials. Rogers could be saddled with a maximum of 10 years in prison amid weapons charges while Copeland faces a maximum of 20 years for the reported destruction of evidence.