Former Marine sentenced to 9 years in prison for firebombing California Planned Parenthood clinic

The US Attorney’s Office said Brannon had other targets he considered but ultimately chose to target a Planned Parenthood.

A former US Marine who firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in Southern California and plotted other attacks has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Officials attribute his crimes to his "Nazi worldview."

Chance Brannon, 24, was an active-duty member of the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton during the time of the firebombing and his subsequent arrest in June. He pleaded guilty in November.

The US Attorney’s Office revealed that Brannon had also planned attacks on a second Planned Parenthood clinic, a Southern California Edison substation, and an LGBTQ pride night celebration at Dodger Stadium, all in line with his extremist beliefs.

A photo of damage to a Planned Parenthood in Costa Mesa, California, following the attack on March 13, 2022 is shown.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division condemned Brannon's actions, stating, “The defendant violently attacked a reproductive healthcare facility and plotted multiple, potentially deadly assaults to advance his hate-fueled agenda.”

Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Brannon's "deep-rooted hatred and extremist views."

In February and March 2022, Brannon, along with Tibet Ergul, 22, and Xavier Batten, 21, conspired to use a Molotov cocktail to destroy a commercial property. Brannon also considered targeting the Anti-Defamation League office in San Diego before settling on Planned Parenthood as a target.

Surveillance video shows the suspects approaching the Planned Parenthood location.

Surveillance footage captured Brannon and Ergul throwing a Molotov cocktail at the clinic's front door on March 13, 2022. While no one was injured, the intent to cause harm was evident.

Brannon continued to counsel Batten on committing similar attacks and discussed plans for a second attack on Planned Parenthood following a Supreme Court decision. He also contemplated starting a race war by targeting an electrical substation.

This image shows a Molotov cocktail that Tibet Ergul sent a friend, according to prosecutors.

His extremist views were further evidenced by racial slurs, hateful comments, and discussions about ethnic cleansing. Brannon's arrest prevented further acts of violence, including an attempted attack on Dodger Stadium during a pride celebration.

US District Judge Cormac J. Carney, during the sentencing hearing, condemned Brannon's actions as "cruel and indefensible domestic terrorism."

Ergul and Batten have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing in May.