Man who targeted Gov. Newsom found with 'fully operational' pipe bombs: FBI

A California man at the center of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation is now facing multiple charges following the discovery of "a trove of pipe bombs and firearms at his home and business," according to the San Francisco Examiner.

A criminal affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Stephanie Minor, who is assigned to the bureau's San Francisco Field Office's Domestic Terrorism Squad, has confirmed the man to be 44-year-old Ian Benjamin Rogers, of Napa County, CA. According to Minor, Rogers was "found in possession of five pipe bombs, 49 firearms, and two dozen ammunition boxes containing thousands of rounds."

A bomb technician for the bureau also confirmed the explosives in Rogers' possession were "fully operational."

Along with the weapons, Rogers had a copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook" and other items the affidavit alleges could be "used to manufacture explosive devices." Investigators also noted that Rogers was in possession of a "White Privilege Card" featuring the phrase "Trumps Everything." An image of the card, which had the name "Scott Free" on it, was also included in the affidavit.

"Several of the firearms, including what appears to be a kit-built replica MG-42 belt-fed machine gun, appear to be capable of firing fully automatic," according to the allegations in the affidavit.

Investigators also retrieved Rogers' phone records which included text messages that emphasize his belief that "Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election and [Rogers'] intent to attack Democrats and places associated with Democrats in an effort to ensure Trump remained in office."

The affidavit also included allegations that suggest Rogers had a list of multiple, potential targets including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D):

Citing texts that refer to a "sac office first target" and to "bird and face," the agent alleged that Rogers meant "their first target should be the offices of California Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento" and that the offices of Twitter ("bird") and Facebook ("face") would be next because they locked Trump's accounts to prevent him from sending messages on those platforms.

On Jan. 15, Rogers was arrested for "violations of federal weapons laws" and is being "held in state custody in lieu of a $5 million bail as he awaits a preliminary hearing." The federal complaint noted that Rogers faces the possibility of 10 years behind bars and a fine of $10,000, if convicted.