Former US Marine Chance Brannon has been sentenced to nine years in prison for firebombing a Planned Parenthood clinic in Southern California and plotting other attacks motivated by his “Nazi worldview.” Brannon, who was an active-duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, had also planned to target a second Planned Parenthood clinic, an electric substation, and an LGBTQ pride event at Dodger Stadium. Authorities described his actions as fueled by hate and extremist views.
In February and March 2022, Brannon, along with his co-defendants Tibet Ergul and Xavier Batten, conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property. They considered various targets, including the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego, before ultimately choosing to bomb a Planned Parenthood clinic. Surveillance footage showed Brannon and Ergul throwing the Molotov cocktail at the clinic’s front door, with plans to target another clinic in June, which they abandoned due to law enforcement presence.
Despite the fact that the clinic was closed at the time and no one was hurt, Brannon’s actions were deemed as potential domestic terrorism. He had also counseled Batten on committing a similar attack, while planning with Ergul to disrupt a power grid in Orange County to incite a race war. Brannon kept plans for these attacks on a thumb drive disguised as a military-style necklace, demonstrating premeditation and intent in carrying out his extremist views.
Brannon’s hateful and extremist ideology was further revealed through his use of racial slurs, degrading comments towards non-white individuals, and discussions about “cleansing” specific ethnic groups from the United States. He often shared neo-Nazi views, including coded language like “88” for “Heil Hitler,” and expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler as a “great man.” Additionally, he had initiated plans to rob Jewish residents in Hollywood Hills and was found in possession of unregistered firearms at the time of his arrest.
During his sentencing hearing, US District Judge Cormac J. Carney condemned Brannon’s actions as cruel and indefensible domestic terrorism. His co-defendants Ergul and Batten have also pleaded guilty to charges against them and are awaiting sentencing in May. The Assistant Attorney General and FBI officials welcomed Brannon’s sentencing, emphasizing the dangers of hate-fueled agendas and violent attacks that could have resulted in harm to innocent individuals. Brannon’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by extremist ideologies and the need for vigilance in combatting domestic terrorism.
