A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on Monday to threatening to kill members of the Jewish community and bomb Jewish synagogues.
John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person, and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce.
“This defendant’s threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children stoked fear in the hearts of congregants at a time when Jews are already facing a disturbing increase in threats,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence. The Justice Department is committed to using the full force of our investigative and prosecutorial authorities to root out these threats and ensure that all people are protected in the expression of their faith.”
According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 25, Reardon called a synagogue in Attleboro, Mass., and left a voicemail that included threats of violence.
Within 10 minutes of leaving the voicemail at the Congregation Agudas Achim, Reardon called another local synagogue in Sharon, Mass., and left a voicemail that included threats of violence.
Reardon was arrested by law enforcement after the calls were made.
Following his arrest, investigators learned that Reardon had called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between Oct. 7, 2023, and Jan. 29.
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Chris Graham
