Dwayne Vandergrift, Malicious Use of Explosive Materials, New Jersey 2022

Homemade Bomb Rocks Gloucester City Fitness Center

A homemade bomb exploded at a Gloucester City fitness center in the early morning hours of August 28, 2020, causing significant damage to the gym’s door and entryway.

Fortunately, the gym had not yet opened for the day, and no one was inside when the bomb detonated. Law enforcement officers later searched the home of Dwayne Vandergrift, 40, of Gloucester City, and discovered additional materials for building explosive devices and firearms. Vandergrift, a Camden County man, pleaded guilty to one count of malicious use of explosive materials in U.S. District Court in Camden.

On August 10, 2022, U.S. District Judge Karen Williams sentenced Vandergrift to 60 months in prison, which is equivalent to five years. In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams also sentenced Vandergrift to three years of supervised release.

The investigation into the bombing was led by the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jacqueline Maguire. The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the Gloucester City Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, also provided assistance in the case.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their work in bringing Vandergrift to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey R. Harteis represented the government in the case.

Vandergrift’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing bring a sense of relief to the community, which was shaken by the bombing. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing and investigating crimes of this nature.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden, New Jersey, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who pose a threat to public safety are held accountable for their actions.

The case is a prime example of the collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to keep our communities safe.

Defendant: Dwayne Vandergrift

Criminal Charges: Malicious use of explosive materials

City and State: Gloucester City, New Jersey

Exact Date: August 28, 2020 (crime date), August 10, 2022 (sentencing)

Sentence: 60 months in prison (5 years), 3 years of supervised release

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