Casey Robert Goonan, a 34-year-old resident of Oakland and Pleasant Hill, has pleaded guilty to federal arson charges. The charges relate to firebombing incidents at the Oakland federal building and the University of California, Berkeley in June 2024.
Court documents reveal that on June 11, 2024, Goonan attempted to attack the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland with Molotov cocktails. His plan was interrupted by protective services officers, leading him to ignite the devices in a planter beside the building.
Goonan also admitted to placing six Molotov cocktails under a University of California Police Department patrol car's fuel tank at UC Berkeley on June 1, 2024. He set the bag containing the explosives on fire before fleeing, resulting in the patrol car catching fire.
In addition to these incidents, Goonan confessed to setting other fires on the UC Berkeley campus on June 1, June 13, and June 16, 2024. He acknowledged that his actions were intended to influence government conduct through intimidation and coercion as retaliation against both United States and California state governments.
U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey stated: “In America, we are all free to express our political views and petition the government. But we are not free to do so using violence.” He emphasized that politically motivated violence undermines democracy.
Dan Costin from the FBI remarked: “Protecting the public from acts of violence and terrorism is the FBI’s top priority.” He expressed gratitude for law enforcement partners' efforts in apprehending Goonan before further harm occurred.
Goonan pleaded guilty to one count of maliciously damaging or destroying property used in or affecting interstate commerce by means of fire or an explosive under federal law. This charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with a minimum sentence of five years.
Goonan has been detained since his arrest and is scheduled for sentencing on April 8, 2025, before Senior United States District Judge Jeffrey S. White.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikhil Bhagat is handling prosecution with support from Tina Rosenbaum following investigations by multiple agencies including FBI and ATF.