A judged locked up Ian Benjamin Rogers (photo, left), 46, of Sacramento, California, for 9 years for plotting to bomb the Democratic Party headquarters in downtown Sacramento “as revenge for what they falsely believed was a stolen election,” the Sacramento Bee reported on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (read story here).
His co-defendant, Jarrod Copeland (photo, right), 39, got 4½ years. They also considered attacking the state’s Democratic governor.
“No attack ever took place, but federal prosecutors described the plot as a serious threat of political violence that included efforts to recruit members of the extremist Proud Boys group to help form ‘a force for guerrilla warfare,’” the Bee said. In addition, police found pipe bombs and illegal weapons when they raided Rogers’ home.
Both men expressed remorse, although Rogers flubbed his first attempt. “I feel very bad for putting myself in a bad situation that allowed the government to destroy my life,” he said. His wording later improved, presumably with some assistance from his attorney, who tried to described his client’s actions as “two friends letting off steam.” (With guns and bombs?)
Rogers, a mechanic, blamed his foray into political terrorism “on a drinking problem that was exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns that severely hurt his auto repair business.” Nine years in prison will give him an opportunity to dry out.
The Bee described his co-conspirator, Copeland, as “a tool salesman, Army deserter and steroid user.” I’d say not exactly a bedrock defender of America’s flag and everything it stands for.
I really like removing these guys from the streets for the next couple of presidential elections. It might save somebody from getting killed.