EVERETT — An Everett man pleaded guilty on Friday in the U.S. District Court in Seattle to three federal felonies in connection with a pipe bomb explosion that destroyed a neighbor’s car.
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. Shrapnel punctured the roof, and debris was scattered around the area.
The victims told police they suspected Steven Goldstine, 54, of Everett, due to previous conflicts with him. The day after the explosion, a man investigators believe to be Goldstine sent the victim a voicemail using racial slurs and referencing the explosion, a press 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.
During a police interview, Goldstine denied being involved but made racist remarks about the victim. When confronted with the voicemail, he sank into his chair but denied making the call.
Security footage from the apartment complex showed the bomber in a jacket and shoes that appeared to match items law enforcement uncovered in a search of 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.
Around 1 p.m. March 17, police arrested Goldstine, who was originally charged in the Snohomish County Superior Court for the suspected hate crime. This follows multiple racial harassment incidents involving Goldstine since 2020.
In September 2020, police arrested Goldstine for pointing a handgun at Black Lives Matter protesters in downtown Everett during a demonstration. In the 2020 search of Goldstine’s home, law enforcement seized the firearm, the release said
The night of the explosion, the victim and her husband told police this was the latest of four instances where he had damaged her car.
On Nov. 27, 2023, officers responded to the same address for a physical altercation after Goldstine allegedly used a racial slur against the woman. First responders transported Goldstine to the hospital but did not arrest him. Body camera footage of the incident captured him repeatedly using racial slurs.
On Friday, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a destructive device on Dec. 31, 2024, unlawful possession of ammunition on March 17 and unlawful possession of a firearm on Sep. 4, 2020, the release said.
Unlawful possession of a destructive device and unlawful possession of a firearm are both punishable by up to 10 years in prison. For unlawful possession of ammunition, it’s up to 15 years, the release said.
Goldstine’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15 in front of U.S. District Judge John Chun.
The case was investigated by the Everett Police Department, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Manca and Trial Attorney Taylor Payne.
Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan
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