Tibet Ergul pleaded guilty Feb. 29 to participating in the firebombing of the clinic with a Molotov cocktail March 13, 2022. Ergul pleaded guilty to conspiracy to damage an energy facility and intentional damage to a reproductive health services facility.
Co-defendant Chance Brannon, 24, of San Juan Capistrano, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Co-defendant Xavier Batten of Brooksville, Florida was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison.
Ergul struggled blending into Newport Beach when he emigrated from Turkey, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney said.
“He did not fit well with the teenagers in Newport Beach and was bullied,” Carney said.
He also suffers from bipolar disorder, depression, an anxiety disorder and ADHD, Carney said.
“In the past, he has also had suicidal thoughts,” Carney noted.
But Carney said the defendant wasn’t as “culpable” as Brannon, who was the ringleader of the attacks. “Clearly, Mr. Brannon had an adverse influence on Mr. Ergul.”
Carney praised Ergul for attending classes and participating in self- help programs while in custody.
Ergul faced between 63 to 78 months, according to his plea deal.
