Orange Park man who instructed planting of explosive at 9/11 commemoration sentenced to 10 years

The Orange Park man who pleaded guilty to instructing someone online how to build an explosive device has now been sentenced to ten years in prison.

Joshua Goldberg’s instructions included how to make the explosive device especially lethal- by putting shrapnel in rat poison- according to court filings. He further told the person to plant the device at a 9/11 commemorative event in Missouri, and instructed him how to hide it as well. Goldberg initially told investigators that he believed the person he was speaking with would either blow himself up in the process of making the device, or if he moved forward with the plan then Goldberg would call police.

Goldberg pleaded guilty late last year to attempted malicious damage and destruction by an explosive of a building. Both his attorney and prosecutors agreed to recommend he serve eight years, although the charge allowed up to 20. Ultimately, the judge ruled on Monday that Goldberg will serve ten years, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Goldberg will serve his time at FMC Butner, which is where he has been housed through the majority of the court proceedings.

In his sentencing memorandum, Goldberg's attorney argued that his client did not understand the full impact of his actions because of misdiagnosed and mistreated mental illness. He says Goldberg wanted to become a journalist, and believed that having these kinds of communications and adopting certain alter-egos online could help him achieve that goal.

Since undergoing assessment and treatment in a federal facility, Goldberg has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder. He was initially found incompetent to stand trial, but his condition improved, according to the court filings.