An Oklahoma man named Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, from Perkins, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to charges of throwing a pipe bomb at the Massachusetts headquarters of a group known as The Satanic Temple. Palmer had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty on one count of using an explosive to damage a building, which serves as both the group’s headquarters and an art gallery.
The Salem-based organization advocates for secularism and individual liberties, clarifying on their website that they do not worship Satan. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 8, 2024, when surveillance cameras captured a man wearing a face covering, tactical vest, and gloves approaching the building, igniting an improvised explosive device, tossing it at the entrance, and fleeing the scene. The bomb partially detonated, causing minor damage.
Authorities were able to recover a DNA sample from a single hair found on the bomb, which appeared to be constructed from plastic pipe material. A note addressed to “Dear Satanist” urging repentance was discovered near the building, along with social media comments allegedly made by Palmer reflecting similar sentiments. Surveillance footage also captured a vehicle registered to Palmer driving suspiciously in the vicinity before and after the attack.
Palmer, scheduled for sentencing on June 12, could face a prison term ranging from five to 20 years, along with three years of supervised release and a potential fine of up to $250,000. Efforts to reach Palmer’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful.
