A man threatened to kill Jewish children and bomb several synagogues in Massachusetts earlier this year.
On January 25, 2024, John Reardon, 59, made violent and threatening phone calls to Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and another synagogue in Sharon, Massachusetts, within 10 minutes of each other.
Speaking about these threats, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: "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.
"No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence."
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts said: "John Reardon now stands convicted of inflicting terror on the greater Boston Jewish community by threatening violence against fellow residents of Massachusetts solely because of their Jewish faith."
It appears as if Reardon's threats to the Jewish community began following the October 7 attack on Israel in 2023, as the Department of Justice (DOJ) uncovered that between October 7, 2023 and January 29, 2024, he made 98 calls to the Israeli consulate in Boston.
According to the latest hate-crime reporting data from Massachusetts, antisemitic incidents were the second most reported hate crime in Massachusetts in 2022, and the highest reported anti-religious hate crime in the same period.
Antisemitism made up 14.5 percent of all reported hate crimes in the state in 2022, which is more than crimes reported by people of other religions. The largest form of crime reported by the Jewish community in Massachusetts was "destruction/vandalism," with 49 of these offenses reported in 2022.
At the time of the disturbing phone call, the Rabbi for Congregation Agudas Achim, Talya Weisbard Shalem, released a statement to her congregants which said: "As we all work through this difficult time, we want to remind you that our synagogue has developed layers of protection to assure our security.
"Some of these measures were completed through a grant (NPSG) from the Department of Homeland Security. These target hardening enhancements included new front lobby doors with handicap accessibility, video cameras, and new outdoor lighting...
"We face many challenges right now, including social and cultural stresses ranging from the lingering impact of the COVID pandemic to the war in Israel and Gaza. At this time, it is of utmost importance that we turn to each other more than ever.
"Our strength is in community. Please care for yourselves and each other, and reach out for help if you need it."
Reardon faces up to 20 years in prison for pleading guilty to obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, and up to an additional 5 years after pleading guilty to transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person.
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