Man charged with possessing pipe bombs and guns may have targeted Newsom, authorities say

Authorities say a Northern California man has been charged with stockpiling weapons, including pipe bombs, and may have been targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Justice Department announced the charges against 44-year-old Ian Rogers of Napa on Wednesday.

He was arrested this month on state illegal firearm charges after sheriff's deputies found a cache of weapons and explosives at his home and auto repair shop.

At least 49 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized from Rogers' home and business, according to the Justice Department.

A "White Privilege Card" and a copy of "The Anarchist Cookbook" were also found during a search warrant, authorities say.

Authorities believe Gov. Newsom may have been one of Rogers' targets.

According to an affidavit, Rogers stated in text messages "Let's see what happens then we act," followed with "I'm thinking sac office first target" "Then maybe bird and face offices."

"I believe that when Rogers said, "sac office first target," he meant that their first target should be the offices of California Governor Gavin Newsom in Sacramento. I further believe that when Rogers said that the "bird and face" offices would be next, he meant the offices of Twitter ("bird") and Facebook ("face"), because both social media platforms had locked Trump's accounts to prevent him from sending messages on those platforms," according to the affidavit released by the office of U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson.

Prosecutors say he had a bumper sticker associated with an anti-government militia on his vehicle.

Rogers' attorney says an anonymous tip about the weapons came from a disgruntled employee Rogers had fired who first contacted the FBI last year.

Prosecutors say Rogers sent threatening text messages stating his intent to attack Democrats, and Twitter headquarters to ensure Donald Trump remained in office.

The criminal complaint does not say whether Rogers attended the Capitol riot earlier this month.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.