A US Marine was one of two men arrested Wednesday in connection to the firebombing of a California Planned Parenthood last year, federal prosecutors said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chance Brannon, a 23-year-old active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton in Orange County, and Tibet Ergul, 21, were taken into custody for allegedly tossing a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of the Costa Mesa clinic in March 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prosecutors allege Brannon and Ergul disguised themselves in hooded sweatshirts and face masks to carry out the early morning attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surveillance video allegedly captured the men approaching the Planned Parenthood location, igniting the device and then throwing it at the building\u2019s front door, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe device landed against a southern wall next to the glass door and erupted into a fire, which spread up the wall and across the ceiling above the glass door,\u201d the complaint states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FBI had issued a wanted poster in January this year offering a $25,000 reward for help identifying the suspects, which prompted an individual who attended high school with Brannon and Ergul to come forward, the complaint says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The person told investigators Ergul texted him boasting about his involvement in the bombing, as well as a photo of a hand holding a Molotov cocktail inside a moving car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No one was hurt in the attack but, as a result of the fire, prosecutors said the health care clinic was forced to shutter the following morning and cancel approximately 30 appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy office takes very seriously this brazen attack that targeted a facility that provides critical health care services to thousands of people in Orange County,\u201d US Attorney Martin Estrada said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile it is fortunate that no one was physically harmed and responders were able to prevent the clinic from being destroyed, the defendants\u2019 violent actions are entirely unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n