A freelance reporter based in Fort Wayne, Indiana is facing potential federal charges after allegedly making threatening statements targeting Jews and pro-Israel U.S. government officials. The 41-year-old reporter is accused of posting menacing messages on social media platforms, including a post on the CIA's website where he threatened to shoot pro-Israel U.S. government officials.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) became aware of the situation after receiving reports of concerning Facebook posts made by the reporter following an attack by Hamas on Israel. During an interview with the FBI, the reporter admitted to sending a message on Facebook to the Fort Wayne Police Department stating his intention to 'kill every Jew.'
According to the federal affidavit filed in court, the reporter claimed he was intoxicated when he made the threatening posts. In addition to targeting Jews and pro-Israel U.S. government officials, he also allegedly posted that he would ensure the elimination of CIA members who support Israel.
The Detroit News was the first to report on the details outlined in the affidavit, which was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana on February 12. Following his arrest, a federal judge ordered that the reporter be held in custody.
As of now, the reporter's attorney has not provided any comments on the matter. The incident comes at a time when concerns about antisemitism are on the rise, with a recent survey by the American Jewish Committee revealing that a quarter of American Jews have experienced antisemitism in the past year. The survey also indicated that nearly two-thirds of American Jews feel less secure in the U.S. compared to a year ago.
