A young man who threatened to blow up the Trump Tower and the Israeli consulate in New York was arrested Wednesday in New Jersey, said the federal prosecutor of the neighboring state of New York.
Investigators claim to have found a host of threatening messages on social networks posted by Jonathan Xie, 20, sympathizing with al-Qassam brigades, the armed wing of the Islamist Hamas movement in power in Gaza.
He allegedly sent money to a terrorist organization
Jonathan Xie, originally from Basking Ridge, a wealthy community in New Jersey, has been indicted on two counts of attempting to physically support a terrorist group - punishable by 20 years in prison each - false testimony, and an international threat. State.
"The threat from violent extremists, self-radicalized in the United States, remains persistent," said prosecutor Craig Carpenito in a statement. "If most Americans know the Islamic State, we take seriously those who help any recognized terrorist organization." Jonathan Xie reportedly sent $ 100 last December to an alleged al-Qassam Brigade member and boasted about it on Instagram, emphasizing "I know it's illegal".
Threats of attacks on social networks
In February, he said he wanted to join the US military "to learn how to kill". In April, he posted on Instagram photos of the Trump Tower superimposed on a message where he said he wanted to put a bomb. In a photo, he asked, "Should we blow the Trump Tower?", Proposing to answer yes or no to the question, a mini-poll with a bomb emoji. In April, still on Instagram, he sported a Hamas flag and a weapon and said he wanted to go to "a pro-Israel parade" and want to "kill everyone," according to the prosecutor.