Third man pleads guilty to firebombing California abortion facility

Tibet Ergul, 22, pleaded guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor count of intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility, the Department of Justice said in a statement. The Irvine, Calif., man’s co-conspirator, Chance Brannon, earlier pleaded guilty to attacking the Costa Mesa Planned Parenthood in 2022 with a Molotov cocktail. Authorities found evidence the two “planned to attack the power grid to start a race war, target Dodger Stadium on Pride Night, and bomb a second reproductive health services clinic,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. A third man, Xavier Batten of Florida, pleaded guilty to a charge in connection to the firebombing and will be sentenced on May 15.

What kind of punishment is Ergul facing? He has entered a plea agreement which, if accepted by the court, would land him between five to six-and-a-half years in prison. A judge will decide whether to accept the plea agreement on May 30. Brannon’s charges of conspiracy and malicious destruction of property by firearms or explosives each carry a minimum of five years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years apiece. The former Marine is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15.

Have they given a motive for the firebomb attack? The pair reportedly attacked the clinic to deter abortions from taking place, according to their plea agreements.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report in WORLD Magazine on pro-life centers functioning in a post-Dobbs world.