Washington State man sentenced to 18 months on explosive weapons charge after FBI infiltrated anti-government group

A Washington State man, Connor Goodman, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of court supervision on Thursday by United States District Court Judge Mary K. Dimke after he pleaded guilty on March 16 to conspiracy to make an unregistered destructive device. 

According to a press release from the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Goodman and his co-defendant Daniel Anderson pleaded guilty in March after FBI and other law enforcement agencies found "a small fully constructed" explosive device at Anderson's home and multiple firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun at Goodman's, in December 2021. 

Authorities were able to obtain a search warrant for the homes after a several months-long investigation into a group the two were part of found that Anderson had solicited explosive material from members. Goodman purchased fireworks for Anderson to make the explosive device from.  

In a statement, US Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref said, “As the U.S. Attorney, I will not tolerate any efforts to threaten or target public servants dedicated to protecting and supporting our community." She continued, "Mr. Goodman bought materials for the explicit purpose of constructing an explosive device that presented a very real danger. I commend the FBI and their law enforcement partners, who identified this conspiracy and who serve diligently to keep our country and communities safe and strong.” 

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Seattle field office, Richard A. Collodi said, "Mr. Goodman and his co-conspirator took active steps to further their ideology through violence.” He added, "Fortunately, our Joint Terrorism Task Force was able to disrupt their activities before they could injure or kill anyone with their destructive device. I thank the investigators and partners who work tirelessly on the JTTF, the Eastern District of Washington US Attorney’s Office, and urge the public to remain vigilant for those who would use violence to advance an agenda.”

According to ABC, the two were members of the "Verified Bois," a group that espouses anti-government sentiments. They discussed plans to use the explosive material Tannerite to create a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). They were found out when they delivered the explosive material to an FBI informant. 

Anderson was sentenced on Aug.17 to 12 months in prison as well as three years of court supervision upon completion of detainment.