Costa Mesa, California – A former marine has been sentenced to nine years in prison for using a Molotov cocktail to firebomb a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, California. Chance Brannon, along with his co-defendant Tibet Ergul, carried out the attack and conspired to plot additional attacks, including targeting a power grid, as part of what was described as a plot for a “race war,” according to the Justice Department.
Brannon, who was an active-duty member of the Marines at the time of the attack in March 2022, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy, malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. The attack was deemed an act of violence with no place in the national dialogue on reproductive health, as stated by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
In addition to serving a nine-year sentence, Brannon has been ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution. The sentencing follows revelations of deep-rooted hatred and extremist views that inspired Brannon to target those who did not align with his neo-Nazi beliefs. The attack on the Planned Parenthood clinic was aimed at instilling fear, hindering abortion services, and inciting further violent acts, according to authorities.
Ergul and another co-defendant, Xavier Batten, have also pleaded guilty to their charges and are awaiting sentencing. The trio had contemplated other targets, including attacking the Anti-Defamation League’s San Diego office, before settling on the Planned Parenthood clinic to achieve their desired objectives, further highlighting the concerning nature of their motivations.
Despite no injuries reported in the attack, the incident forced the Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa to cancel numerous appointments. The National Abortion Federation noted a significant increase in violence at abortion clinics in 2022, reflecting a broader trend of rising aggression against such facilities.
Prosecutors revealed details of Brannon’s neo-Nazi ideology and plans for further violent acts targeting specific ethnic groups. The FBI warned of extremist groups’ threats to create civil disorder and inspire additional violent actions, underscoring the serious implications of such extremist ideologies.
Court documents showed that Brannon and Ergul had researched ways to attack Dodger Stadium during an LGBTQ+ pride event and had begun planning to target Jewish individuals in the Hollywood Hills before their arrest. The arrests came just days before these violent schemes were set to unfold, highlighting the critical role of law enforcement in preventing potential harm and chaos in communities.