Joseph Neumayer, a 28-year-old who is a dual U.S.-German citizen, was arrested by FBI special agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for his alleged attempt to firebomb the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to the Department of Justice.
Neumayer also stands accused of making threats toward President Donald Trump. If convicted, Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine in the amount of $250,000, the DOJ said in a news release.
The arrest came just days after Israeli Embassy staff members Sarah Milgrim, an American citizen, and Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, were shot and killed outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. Suspected gunman Elias Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He said he “did it for Palestine,” according to court papers.
Neumayer arrived in Israel in April and was spotted outside of the U.S. Embassy carrying a dark-colored backpack. According to the DOJ, he spit on an embassy guard as he walked past.
That guard attempted to detain him but he managed to break free, leaving his backpack behind. Authorities searched the backpack and found three Molotov cocktails, the DOJ said.
Neumeyer was tracked back to his hotel and arrested by Israeli authorities. They also found evidence on Neumeyer’s social media where he discussed burning down the embassy.
Also on the social media account believed to be Neumeyer’s, there were posts of threats to assassinate Trump, the DOJ said.
Israeli authorities deported Neumayer back to the U.S. and he was arrested by the FBI on Sunday. He made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the Eastern District of New York and was ordered detained.
“The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the DOJ release.
The FBI Washington Field Office is working with the FBI New York Field Office in the investigation.
“This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
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