A man from Colorado is accused of attempting to set fire to a U.S. diplomatic office in Israel and making threats to assassinate President Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, federal prosecutors announced Sunday.
Joseph Neumeyer, who holds both American and German citizenship, appeared in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York on charges that he tried to destroy the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv.
Authorities said Neumeyer was expelled from Israel on Saturday and is now in custody in the United States as he awaits trial. Details were disclosed in a formal complaint released Sunday.
Court documents state that Neumeyer had been posting alarming threats on social media aimed at embassy personnel and Americans in general. He later arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv allegedly carrying makeshift explosive devices.
“Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America. Death to Americans and f—k the west,” Neumeyer allegedly posted on Facebook, according to the complaint.
Upon searching his belongings, officials say they discovered Molotov cocktails in his backpack.
“Neumeyer not only made threats against Americans and U.S. diplomatic missions, but also allegedly attempted to carry out those threats by bringing potentially deadly devices to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen in a statement.
“Let his arrest carry an unmistakable message: The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
{Matzav.com}