A Texas man has been federally charged after allegedly purchasing powerful explosives in New Mexico with the stated intention of using them to harm law enforcement officers and government officials during anticipated riots in Los Angeles, California.
Grzegorz Vandenberg, 48, was arrested following a transaction on June 12, 2025, at a travel center in Lordsburg, New Mexico.
According to court documents, Vandenberg sought assistance from store employees in selecting fireworks that could be thrown directly at people to cause harm. He reportedly claimed to be former special forces military and capable of constructing pipe bombs.
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During his statements, Vandenberg allegedly informed store staff that he was en route to Los Angeles specifically for riots, with the express intent to kill law enforcement officers or government officials. He also boasted of already possessing mortar explosives and reiterated his plan to deploy them at the riots to kill officers.
Store employees reported that Vandenberg requested the largest available explosives and even invited an employee to join him and his “platoon” in California. He ultimately purchased six mortars, each containing 60 grams of gunpowder, and 36 large fireworks. He then departed the store in a vehicle with Montana license plates, heading west on Interstate 10. The vigilant cashier, disturbed by Vandenberg’s threats, took down his license plate information, which proved crucial to the investigation.
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Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the alleged actions, stating, “This man allegedly intended to use the chaotic riots in Los Angeles as an opportunity to commit deadly violence against law enforcement officers. Threats like these strike at the heart of law and order — we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against anyone who seeks to harm law enforcement or endanger the safety of our communities.”
“Our message is clear: If you come after law enforcement officers, the FBI will spare no effort to find you and bring you to justice,” FBI Director Kash Patel said. He credited the store cashier’s quick thinking in providing the license plate information for stopping Vandenberg’s alleged plan.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico emphasized that such acts are criminal, not protest. “Targeting law enforcement with violence is not protest – it’s a crime,” Ellison stated. “Anyone who attempts to harm officers or undermine public safety will be held accountable. Protecting the safety of our communities and upholding the integrity of lawful demonstrations are priorities, and those who cross the line into violence will be prosecuted swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.”
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Vandenberg is charged with transporting explosives in interstate commerce with the knowledge and intent that they would be used to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals. He remains in custody, and a trial date has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Vandenberg faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Tucson Resident Agency of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, Tucson Police Department, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso.
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