Renton, Washington, man pleads guilty to unlawful possession of destructive devices

Seattle – A 34-year-old Renton, Washington, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle in connection with the plot to burn the Seattle Police Officers Guild building in downtown Seattle in September 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.  Justin Christopher Moore will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lauren King on December 21, 2022.

According to the plea agreement, Moore admits he made and carried a box of 12 Molotov cocktails in a protest march to the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) building on Labor Day, September 7, 2020.  Ultimately the marchers were moved away from the building in downtown Seattle, when police smelled gasoline and grew concerned about the intentions of protestors.  The box containing the 12 gasoline devices was found in the parking lot next to the SPOG building.  Using video from that day and from other protests, as well as information from the electronic devices of other co-conspirators, Moore was confirmed as the person seen carrying the box of destructive devices. 

In June 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Moore’s residence.  They seized clothing that is consistent with the images of what Moore was wearing when he carried the Molotov cocktails.  From the basement storage area they also recovered numerous items that are consistent with manufacturing explosive devices. Law enforcement recovered a notebook in which Moore had made entries related to the manufacturing of destructive devices and the ingredients necessary.

Unlawful possession of a destructive device is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireworks & Explosives (ATF), and the Seattle Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.