Feds allege duo plotted to blow up Democratic headquarters

Men believed attack would start a ‘movement,’ according to newly unsealed indictment

SAN FRANCISCO >> Two Bay Area men have been charged with conspiring to blow up the John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento following the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, according to a newly unsealed federal indictment.

Ian Benjamin Rogers, 45, of Napa and Jarrod Copeland, 37, of Vallejo have been charged with conspiracy to destroy by fire or explosive a building used in interstate commerce. Rogers is charged with additional weapons violations, including one count of possession of unregistered destructive devices and three counts of possession of machine guns. Copeland is charged with an additional count of destruction of records.

According to the indictment, Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump spurred Rogers and Copeland to begin planning an attack against a target or targets associated with Democrats. By Nov. 29, 2020, the men allegedly had identified the headquarters in the state Capitol as their first target and made plans to attack it using incendiary devices.

“Rogers and Copeland believed that the attacks would start what they called a ‘movement,’ ” the indictment stated.

The men allegedly used multiple messaging applications to plan the attack. In late December, Copeland told Rogers he had contacted an anti-government militia group for support and obtained material to help execute their plan, according to the indictment.

On Jan. 11, Rogers told Copeland, “I want to blow up a Democrat building bad,” the indictment stated. The pair then discussed their first target and Rogers allegedly said, “I’m thinking sac office first target,” meaning they would target the John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters in Sacramento first. Copeland agreed and said “plan attack,” according to the indictment. As the exchange concluded, Rogers allegedly said “let’s see what happens” and “after the 20th we go to war,” referring to Jan. 20.

In a news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said additional documents filed by the government claimed Copeland and Rogers understood they would be viewed as domestic terrorists and hoped their violent acts might start a movement to overthrow the government. They also allegedly discussed using Molotov cocktails and gasoline to attack targets associated with democrats, including the governor’s mansion.

Authorities searched Rogers’ home and business Jan. 15 and seized 45 to 50 firearms, including at least three fully automatic weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and five pipe bombs, the indictment stated. Rogers was arrested that day and charged later that month.

According to the indictment, Copeland learned of Rogers’ arrest the next day and contacted the militia group to which both men belonged.

One of the group’s leaders allegedly advised Copeland to switch to a new communications platform and delete everything he had.

Authorities searched Copeland’s home Jan. 17 and recovered his electronic devices.

His communications with Rogers, which were in Rogers’ phone, were missing from his phone, the indictment stated.

Rogers has remained in state custody since his arrest in January. Copeland was arrested Wednesday morning and made an initial federal court appearance Thursday morning, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Copeland will appear next July 20 for a detention hearing and Rogers will appear next July 30 for a status conference.

If convicted, the men face a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a three-year term of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy charge. In addition, Rogers faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the weapons charge and Copeland faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the destruction of evidence charge.

“Firebombing your perceived political opponents is illegal and does not nurture the sort of open and vigorous debate that created and supports our constitutional democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds in a statement. “The allegations in the indictment describe despicable conduct. Investigation and prosecution of those who choose violence over discussion is as important as anything else we do to protect our free society.”