A Massachusetts man’s chilling threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children have landed him a federal conviction and a potentially lengthy sentence in prison at a time when the nation is dealing with a rise in antisemitism.
The Justice Department on Monday announced that John Reardon, a Massachusetts resident, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of threatening violence against Jewish communities.
“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.
On the morning of Jan. 25, Reardon called a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, 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, Massachusetts, and left a voicemail that included threats of violence.
The authorities arrested Reardon after the calls were made. “Following his arrest, investigators learned that Reardon had called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between October 7, 2023, and Jan. 29. In many of those calls, Reardon also made statements intended to harass or intimidate,” according to the Justice Department’s press release.
Reardon faces up to 30 years in prison for the threats and harassment, along with potential fines of up to $750,000.
The spike in antisemitic incidents comes after the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip started on October 7, 2023. Since then, pro-Hamas activists have been staging marches on college campuses and city streets. Many have targeted Jewish Americans for harassment and violence.
There have also been plenty of concerns raised about how the rise in antisemitism being expressed on digital platforms could lead to more violence. A CyberWell report revealed a 36.6 percent rise in antisemitic content.
A self-proclaimed Hamas operative was arrested earlier this month for vandalizing Jewish buildings with antisemitic graffiti. The suspect is a former Pennsylvania Air National Guard member and made donations to Democratic politicians.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, and Tayla A. Lubit, 24, are alleged to have targeted the Chabad of Squirrel Hill and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh on July 29, 2024. Each location was defaced with graffiti displaying phrases and symbols connected to the terrorist group Hamas.
The charges, including conspiracy and defacing religious property, came after an FBI investigation tied the suspects to the scene through surveillance video footage and other forms of evidence.
The graffiti on the Chabad building read, “Jews 4 Palestine” next to an inverted red triangle, a pro-Hamas symbol that has been used widely in pro-Hamas protests across the country, according to the criminal complaint.
“The graffiti was painted directly below a sign reading ‘Chabad of Squirrel Hill’ and a few feet away from a large menorah, a Jewish religious symbol,” FBI Special Agent Brian Collins stated. The Jewish Federation’s sign was similarly defaced, with “Funds Genocide Jews, Hate Zionists” spray-painted in red.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to target antisemitic individuals and organizations that promote or participate in violent action against Jewish Americans.
