Satanic Temple

Man pleads guilty in pipe bomb attack on Satanic Temple in Salem

Sean Patrick Palmer of Perkins, Oklahoma, was arrested last year after a pipe bomb was thrown onto the porch of the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts

A man in a face covering throwing a pipe bomb at the entrance of the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, early Monday, April 8, 2024, as seen in surveillance video released by federal prosecutors.
U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts

A man in a face covering throwing a pipe bomb at the entrance of the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, early Monday, April 8, 2024, as seen in surveillance video released by federal prosecutors.

An Oklahoma man accused of throwing a pipe bomb at the Massachusetts headquarters of a group called The Satanic Temple pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court.

Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, of Perkins changed an earlier plea of not guilty on one count of using an explosive to damage a building following the attack last year on the headquarters. The building is also used as an art gallery.

Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are.

Watch button  WATCH HERE

The Salem-based group says on its website that it campaigns for secularism and individual liberties, and that its members don't actually worship Satan.

Arrest made in pipe bombing of Satanic Temple in Salem
Federal prosecutors say an Oklahoma man threw an improvised explosive device onto the porch of the Satanic Temple.

Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox with our News Headlines newsletter.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

Investigators said surveillance cameras showed a man walking up to the building soon after 4 a.m. on April 8, 2024, wearing a face covering, a tactical vest and gloves. The man then ignited an improvised explosive device, threw it at the main entrance and ran away. The bomb partially detonated, resulting in some minor damage, authorities said.

The bomb appeared to be made from a piece of plastic pipe, authorities said, and they were able to extract a DNA sample from a single hair on the bomb.

An attorney for Palmer could not be immediately reached for comment.

Investigators seek person who bombed Satanic Temple in Salem
Authorities are searching for the person who threw an explosive device at the Satanic Temple, causing damage to the building.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said investigators found a six-page note in a flowerbed near the building addressed to "Dear Satanist" and urged repentance. Authorities said Palmer had posted similar comments on social media. They also said surveillance footage showed a black Volvo registered to Palmer driving erratically in the area before and after the incident.

Palmer, who will be sentenced June 12, faces five years to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us