Bomber Who Targeted Camden County Gym Sentenced

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ — A judge sentenced a Camden County man to 60 months in prison for setting off a homemade bomb at a local gym, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced Thursday.

Officials say Dwayne A. Vandergrift Jr., 40, of Gloucester City had previously pleaded guilty to one count of malicious use of explosive materials.

Vandergrift set off a homemade explosive device at a gym near his home at 3:24 a.m. on Aug. 28, 2020, officials charged.

According to court documents, surveillance footage captured Vandergrift putting the bomb on the front door of Bellum Strength & Conditioning - G City Crossfit. He then "ran across the street and departed the scene on a small electric powered scooter," court documents say.

The gym on South Broadway was not open at the time, and no one was inside. The bomb exploded, damaging the gym's entryway and door.

Federal and local law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Vandergrift's home that same day. They found substantial quantities of bomb-making materials, numerous weapons including an unregistered short barreled rifle, several tactical vests outfitted with body armor and loaded 30-round ammunition magazines.

Authorities also found a marijuana grow operation with about 85 plants. More: South Jersey Man Charged With Bombing Gym, Explosives

James S. Friedman of New Brunswick was Vandergift's defense attorney.

U.S. District Judge Karen Williams also sentenced Vandergrift to three years of supervised release, Sellinger said.