Federal prosecutors announced Sunday the arrest of a 28-year-old man who allegedly attempted to firebomb the U.S. embassy branch in Tel Aviv, Israel, earlier this month and made threats against President Trump.
Joseph Neumayer, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany, was taken into custody by FBI special agents at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City following his deportation from Israel.
According to court documents, Neumayer traveled to Israel in April. On May 19, he arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a backpack. Prosecutors allege that Neumayer, without provocation, spat at an embassy guard as he walked by and then fled as the guard attempted to detain him. He left his backpack outside the embassy during the altercation.
A subsequent search of the backpack revealed three Molotov cocktails inside.
Local law enforcement in Israel located Neumayer at his hotel, where he was arrested. Investigators discovered that prior to traveling to the embassy, Neumayer allegedly posted on social media, stating, “join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f***k the west.” Authorities also reported that Neumayer posted threatening messages on social media specifically targeting President Trump. Israel deported Neumayer on Sunday.
Following his arrest in New York City, Neumayer was charged with attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the U.S. Embassy. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also issued a statement, describing Neumayer’s alleged actions as “despicable and violent” and affirming that such behavior “will not be tolerated at home or abroad.”
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