FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Scott Eric Anderson, 43, and Paul New, 55, both of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy to destroy utilizing an explosive device and malicious destruction utilizing an explosive device, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Anderson was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, between November 2022 and February 2023, Anderson and New set off a series of pipe bombs on unoccupied vehicles and property in Fresno. The bombs damaged vehicles belonging to two auto-related businesses on Clinton Avenue. On Feb. 19, 2023, a bomb heavily damaged a vehicle used by a home healthcare business on Fallbrook Avenue. Anderson sometimes recorded his crimes by video. In addition, Anderson was found to be in possession of a pistol. He is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a previous conviction for carrying a loaded and concealed weapon.

If convicted, Anderson and New face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the malicious destruction employing explosive device charges and five years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the conspiracy charge. Anderson also faces ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine regarding the felon possessing a firearm charge. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider several variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.