Chance Brannon, a neo-Nazi former U.S. marine, was sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for firebombing a Planned Parenthood clinic in California and planning attacks on other targets such as an LGBT event and Jewish families. Judge Cormac J. Carney described Brannon’s actions as “cruel and indefensible domestic terrorism.” Brannon pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy and malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives. Mehtab Syed of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office commended law enforcement efforts for preventing further acts of domestic terrorism.
The attack on the Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa was part of what Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke called a “hate-fueled agenda” designed to terrorize patients and healthcare providers. Brannon, along with his co-defendants Tibet Ergul and Xavier Batten, conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to carry out the attack. The trio also discussed other potential targets, including the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego. The Planned Parenthood clinic’s entrance was set on fire, causing the rescheduling of around 30 appointments. Brannon’s sentencing memorandum revealed his admiration for Adolf Hitler and his extremist views on Jews.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Brannon and Ergul planned a second attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic which was thwarted due to increased police presence at abortion centers. They also considered attacking an electrical substation to start a race war, with plans to target Orange County’s power grid. A file containing these plans and a gear list was found on a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace. Additionally, Brannon and Ergul discussed attacking Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQ pride event and were arrested two days before the event. Brannon was also planning to rob Jewish households in Hollywood Hills, an action that prosecutors deemed potentially harmful or deadly.
At the time of his arrest, Brannon possessed a short-barreled rifle and two silencers that were not registered. His disdain for Jews and admiration for white supremacist ideology were evident in his conversations with fellow Marines. The sentencing memorandum highlighted his admiration for the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, which has served as inspiration for multiple white nationalist terror plots. Brannon’s plans for violence and hatred were fueled by a deep-rooted extremist worldview. Despite being apprehended before certain attacks could be carried out, the threat he posed to society was significant.
District Judge Cormac J. Carney’s sentencing of Brannon to federal prison sends a strong message that individuals engaged in domestic terrorism will be held accountable for their actions. Mehtab Syed’s acknowledgment of law enforcement efforts in preventing further attacks highlights the importance of proactive measures to combat extremism. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s description of the Planned Parenthood clinic attack as part of a “hate-fueled agenda” underscores the impact of targeted violence on the community. Brannon’s case sheds light on the dangers posed by individuals harboring extremist views and their potential to inflict harm on innocent people. The thorough investigation and prosecution of Brannon and his co-defendants serve as a testament to the commitment to upholding justice and ensuring the safety of all individuals.
