Everett man sentenced to 5 years after pipe bomb explosion of a neighbor’s car

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, December 16, 2025

EVERETT — A U.S. District Court judge sentenced an Everett man to five years in prison Monday for three federal felonies in connection with a pipe bomb explosion that destroyed a neighbor’s car.

This comes after Steven Goldstine, 55, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Seattle to unlawful possession of a destructive device, unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm, according to a United States Department of Justice press release.

On the night of Dec. 31, 2024, Everett police responded to reports of an explosion in a parked car at an apartment complex in the 3100 block of Rockefeller Avenue. Upon arrival, police found a blue 2000 Ford Explorer with its front windshield blown outward, multiple windows shattered and interior seats torn apart.

The victims told police they suspected Goldstine due to previous conflicts with him, the release said.

On Nov. 27, 2023, officers responded to the same address for a physical altercation after Goldstine allegedly used a racial slur against the woman. Body camera footage of the incident shows him repeatedly using racial slurs. First responders transported Goldstine to the hospital but did not arrest him.

The day after the explosion, Goldstine sent the victim a voicemail referencing the explosion and using racial slurs, the release said.

“Hey, you (racial slur and expletive) … are you still having breathing problems … how is your car running … boy, what an explosion that was,” the voicemail said.

Surveillance footage showed the bomber in clothing that appeared to match items law enforcement found in Goldstine’s home, the release said. During the search, officers seized more than 700 rounds of ammunition.

Goldstine was not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions for burglary, arson and possession of stolen property. The investigation resulted in Goldstine pleading guilty and being sentenced for the federal crimes of unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm, the release said.

This follows multiple racial harassment incidents involving Goldstine since 2020.

In September 2020, police searched Goldstine’s home after he pointed a handgun at Black Lives Matter protesters in downtown Everett. During the search, law enforcement seized the firearm, the release said.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge John Chun addressed the court, the release said.

“This case involves serious and quite frankly horrifying conduct,” Chun said. “Add in the racist statements it is disgusting conduct.”

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca and Trial Attorney Taylor Payne prosecuted this case, the release said.

When asking for a 78-month sentence, the prosecutors wrote to the court referencing Goldstine’s “deeply troubling history of violence,” going back to arson convictions in the ’80s and ’90s, the release said.

Chun sentenced Goldstine to three years of supervised release following his prison term. For one of the years, he ordered him to be on electronic location monitoring, the release said.

The Everett Police Department, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. The Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office provided assistance.

“The violence and hatred behind this crime had no place in Everett,” said Everett Police Chief John DeRousse in the release. “The victim in this incident showed resilience in the face of a senseless act meant to intimidate and divide. We are grateful for the collaboration with the FBI, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that ultimately brought accountability and helped reinforce that everyone in our community deserves to feel safe.”

Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan