Two men charged with conspiracy to attack Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento

WASHINGTON – Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple counts in connection with an alleged plot to attack Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento after last year’s presidential election.

Ian Benjamin Rogers, 45, of Napa, and Jarrod Copeland, 37, of Vallejo, face charges of conspiracy to destroy a building used in interstate commerce with fire or explosives, possession of machine guns and obstruction of Justice.

Federal officials allege the men were “specific, detailed and serious” in a plan to carry out an attack on the Democratic headquarters of John L. Burton. The Justice Department said the two began planning to attack Democratic targets with incendiary devices after the election and sought support from a militia group in hopes their actions would spark a movement.

“Do you think something is wrong with me how excited I am to attack Democrats?” Rogers asked Copeland, who then told police he did not take any of the discussions seriously and was listening to Rogers “let off steam,” according to the government detention memo.

But the government alleged that Copeland, who was arrested on Wednesday, encouraged Rogers and continued to refer to violent attacks in January.

Rogers was charged that month with possession of five homemade bombs. According to the criminal complaint, investigators also found materials at his company that could be used to make explosive devices, including black powder, hoses, tips and manuals, such as “The Anarchist Cookbook,” the ” US Army Improvised Ammunition Handbook ”and“ Homemade C-4: A Recipe for Survival ”.

Nearly 50 firearms were reportedly seized from Rogers’ home and business, along with thousands of cartridges. Officers and agents also reported discovering a sticker on the window of Rogers’ vehicle that is commonly used by the “three percent,” people who attribute extreme anti-government and pro-gun beliefs, according to the complaint.

The Justice Department said that if found guilty, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a three-year supervised release sentence and a fine of $ 250,000 for the conspiracy charge. Rogers also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the weapons charge and Copeland faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for a charge of destroying evidence.

It was not known Thursday night if the men had lawyers who could speak on their behalf.

Rusty Hicks, chairman of the California Democratic Party, called the accusations “extremely disturbing.”

“We are relieved to know that the plot has not been successful, that those suspected of being responsible are in custody and that our staff and volunteers are safe and sound,” Hicks said in a statement. “Yet this points to a broader problem of violent extremism that is far too common in political discourse today.”

The Associated Press and Rebecca Shabad contributed.