A former Marine, Chance Brannon from San Juan Capistrano, California, pleaded guilty to firebombing a Planned Parenthood clinic in Orange County, as stated in a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California on Thursday.
The press release reveals that Brannon, a 24-year-old active-duty Marine at the time, carried out the attack in March 2022. He also confessed to planning additional assaults, including targeting an LGBTQ pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium and another Planned Parenthood clinic.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada commented on the case, stating, “This defendant exemplifies the insidious danger posed by domestic extremism. The defendant, who was a member of the U.S. military, admitted not only to attacking a Planned Parenthood facility but also to planning for attacks on the power grid and a pride celebration at Dodger Stadium. We must never waver in our commitment to protect the American people from violent extremist ideology.”
Brannon pleaded guilty to four charges, including conspiracy, malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility. He has been in custody for approximately six months.
FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Don Alway emphasized the intolerance towards extremist violence, stating, “Extremist violence fueled by an insular hatred intended to intimidate law-abiding Americans will not be tolerated.
It is crucial that individuals who seek reproductive health services be able to obtain them in an environment that is free from interference, intimidation, and fear. Together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to defending the American people against such acts of cruelty.
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