The man suspected of throwing a pipe bomb that failed to detonate but scorched the side of a Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, has been arrested.
Sean Palmer, 49, of Oklahoma, appeared in the Western District of Oklahoma court on Thursday, where he was charged with using fire or an explosive to cause damage to a building used in interstate or foreign commerce. He will later appear before a federal court in Boston, which is nearer to the crime scene.
Security camera footage captured a suspect lighting the bomb before throwing it onto the porch of the temple in the early hours of April 8. This came after the temple had reportedly received a bomb threat in January. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts cited Palmer’s receipts showing a purchase of PVC pipe on April 3 similar to that of the bomb used.
Additionally, a six-page letter was discovered at the scene. The letter implied that the bombing was a long time coming.
“DEAR SATANIST, ELOHIM SEND ME 7 MONTHS AGO TO GIVE YOU PEACEFUL MESSAGE TO HOPE YOU REPENT,” the letter read, using the Hebrew word for God. “YOU SAY NO, ELOHIM NOW SEND ME TO SMITE SATAN AND I HAPPY TO OBEY. AND ELOHIM WANT ME TO CONTACT YOU TO TELL YOU REPENT.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
If convicted, Palmer could face a fine of up to $250,000 and anywhere between five and 20 years in prison.
The temple was also targeted in 2022 when someone set it on fire. It has been in operation since 2013 and has a dual function as an art gallery.
