OAKLAND – Casey Robert Goonan, 35, of Oakland and Pleasant Hill, will spend more than 19 years in federal prison for a brazen string of arsons and attempted bombings targeting the University of California, Berkeley and a federal building in downtown Oakland. Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White delivered the sentence today, labeling Goonan a “domestic terrorist.”
The attacks began in the early hours of June 1, 2024, when Goonan planted a bag containing six Molotov cocktails under the fuel tank of a University of California Police Department (UCPD) patrol car parked near the UC Berkeley campus. He ignited the devices, setting the vehicle ablaze. A video of the incident is available for review here. Goonan didn’t stop there. Less than two weeks later, on June 11, 2024, he attempted to firebomb the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, hurling rocks in a failed attempt to shatter a window and throw the explosive devices inside. When confronted by protective services officers, Goonan lit the Molotov cocktails and left them burning in a planter before fleeing.
Federal prosecutors detailed in court that Goonan also committed additional fires on the UC Berkeley campus on June 13th and 16th, 2024. The plea agreement revealed a disturbing motivation: Goonan admitted the attacks were inspired by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and that he actively called for similar attacks on Bay Area college campuses in support of Palestine. He acknowledged his intent was to intimidate and coerce the governments of the United States and California.
“Freedom of expression and peaceful protest are deeply enshrined values in America,” stated United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “We are all free to think what we want and express those views peacefully, but the use of violence to achieve political aims—or to silence those with whom you may disagree—has no place in our community and our country. Anyone who crosses the line between peaceful protest and violence will be met with the full force of the law.”
The FBI echoed that sentiment. “Safeguarding our communities from violence remains at the forefront of the FBI’s mission,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo. “While free speech and peaceful protest are protected rights, turning to firebombs and arson crosses into criminal conduct that endangers lives and threatens public safety. Today’s sentencing makes clear that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate violence, and we will hold accountable anyone who seeks to harm our communities.”
Goonan pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying property used in or affecting interstate commerce by means of fire or an explosive. Judge White sentenced him to 235 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. He is also required to pay $94,267.51 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Goonan has been in custody since his state arrest on June 17, 2024. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nikhil Bhagat and Tina Rosenbaum, with assistance from the FBI, ATF, the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, and UCPD.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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