BOSTON — An Oklahoma man, Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, has pleaded guilty in federal court for using an explosive device against the Massachusetts headquarters of The Satanic Temple. This incident occurred on April 8, 2024. Palmer, originally entered a not guilty plea but changed it to guilty on one count of damaging a building with an explosive.
The building, located in Salem, doubles as an art gallery and is the headquarters for a group that advocates for secularism and personal freedoms, making it a focal point for several controversial discussions.
According to investigators, surveillance footage captured Palmer approaching the building around 4 a.m., dressed in a tactical vest and gloves. He ignited a pipe bomb and threw it at the entrance before fleeing the scene. The explosion caused minor damage, but thankfully, no one was injured. Authorities later determined the bomb was crafted from a piece of plastic pipe, from which they generated a DNA sample from a single hair found on it.
In a troubling discovery, a six-page note was found in a flowerbed near the building, addressed to “Dear Satanist,” and calling for repentance. This suggests that Palmer harbored strong feelings against the group, which has previously been evident in his social media posts. Further investigation revealed that a black Volvo registered to Palmer was seen driving erratically near the site both before and after the explosion.
As the legal proceedings continue, Palmer is scheduled for sentencing on June 12. He faces a potential prison term ranging from five to 20 years, along with three years of supervised release and a hefty fine that could reach up to $250,000.
