HONOLULU, HI – Brian Melvin Brandenburg, 64, of Oahu, isn’t looking at a vacation. A federal jury slammed him with guilty verdicts on seven counts of transmitting threats to bomb buildings nationwide. The feds say Brandenburg, a former Utah resident, unleashed a wave of menacing emails, aiming to sow chaos and fear.
The trial, overseen by U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi, laid bare Brandenburg’s calculated attempt to grab attention. Evidence showed he didn’t just randomly pick targets. The threats were aimed at the 3rd District Courthouse in Salt Lake City, where he was embroiled in a contentious divorce, specifically targeting employees involved in the case – identified in court documents as Victim 1 and Victim 2. But his reach extended far beyond Utah.
Brandenburg’s email rampage included threats against the Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City’s Mayor’s Office, and even every Ivy League school. He didn’t stop there. The United States Courthouse in San Diego, Hall Labs, and the University of Utah Center for Medical Innovation were also on his hit list. According to prosecutors, he confessed to the FBI he wanted to “get their attention,” a chilling admission of intent.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys KeAupuni Akina and Darren W.K. Ching built a solid case, presenting the damning email evidence and Brandenburg’s own admission. The investigation was a multi-agency effort, involving the FBI, the Provo Police Department, and the University of Utah Police Department. They tracked the threats back to Brandenburg, ultimately leading to his arrest and now, this conviction.
Judge Kobayashi has already ordered Brandenburg held without bail. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, 2023, and faces a potentially lengthy prison term. Count one carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, while the remaining six counts each carry a maximum of 10 years. The final sentence will depend on federal sentencing guidelines and a variety of factors considered by the judge.
This wasn’t a spontaneous act, the feds argue, but a deliberate campaign of terror, even if motivated by a desperate need for notoriety. Brandenburg’s actions will have consequences. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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