Chance Brannon, a 24-year-old former Marine, has admitted guilt in the 2022 firebombing of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Costa Mesa, California, according to statements from federal prosecutors. Brannon, who was an active-duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton at the time, was involved in the Molotov cocktail attack on the facility.
As reported by CBS News, Fortunately, the incident, which took place in the early hours of March 13, 2022, did not result in any injuries as the clinic was unoccupied. However, the attack caused burn damage to the clinic’s entrance and forced the rescheduling of approximately 30 appointments.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Central California revealed that Brannon had contemplated other attacks, including plans to target another Planned Parenthood facility and discussions about inciting a race war by attacking a power substation. These plans were not executed.
Additionally, Brannon was found to possess a rifle inscribed with a racially charged message and a thumb drive containing footage of the Christchurch, New Zealand, mass shooting, perpetrated by a white supremacist. These discoveries were part of a plea deal statement that Brannon agreed to.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the threat of domestic extremism highlighted by this case. Arrested in June, Brannon has now pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy, malicious destruction of property by fire and explosives, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility.
Brannon faces mandatory minimum sentences of five years in prison for two of the counts. His co-defendants, Tibet Ergul of California and Xavier Batten of Florida, have entered not guilty pleas. Ergul and Brannon constructed the Molotov cocktail in Ergul’s garage following instructions from Batten, as disclosed in the plea agreement.
Brannon’s attorney, Kate Corrigan, stated that her client is eager to move past this phase of his life. Brannon’s confession marks a significant development in a case that underscores the ongoing concerns about domestic extremism and its impacts on community safety and healthcare services.