Steven Goldstine, Pipe Bomb Explosion, Washington 2025

SEATTLE – A 55-year-old Everett, Washington man was sentenced to five years in prison for a pipe bomb explosion that destroyed a neighbor’s car, announced U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.

Steven Goldstine pleaded guilty in September 2025, to unlawful possession of a destructive device; unlawful possession of ammunition; and unlawful possession of a firearm. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John H. Chun said, “This case involves serious and quite frankly horrifying conduct. Add in the racist statements, it is disgusting conduct.”

“This defendant turned his racial hatred into a potentially deadly explosion, using a pipe bomb to blow up a car. Not everything is a hate crime, but we believe this defendant acted on racial hatred,” said U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “After the bombing he called the victims to gloat, leaving a message with racial slurs. This time in prison will protect our community.”

Goldstine was sentenced on December 15, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Seattle. The crime occurred on December 31, 2024, in Everett, Washington.

According to records filed in the case, on December 31, 2024, Everett Police responded to reports of an explosion in a car parked at an apartment complex. The victims told police they suspected Goldstine due to a conflict they had with him. The day after the explosion they received a voice message from Goldstine using racial slurs and referencing the explosion in the vehicle. The police investigation used video surveillance from the victim’s apartment and nearby businesses to link the bomber to clothing found at Goldstine’s home.

The investigation also led to the guilty pleas and sentencing for two other federal crimes: unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm. Goldstine is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions for burglary, arson, and possession of stolen property.

Golstine illegally possessed more than 700 rounds of ammunition which were seized from his home when it was searched following the pipe bomb explosion. Previously, in September 2020, law enforcement searched Golstine’s residence after he pointed a gun at protestors in Everett. The action was captured on video. In that search of Golstine’s home, the firearm was seized by law enforcement.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/everett-washington-man-who-used-pipe-bomb-blow-black-couples-car-sentenced-five-years