Massachusetts man pleads guilty to threatening Jewish community members and to bomb synagogues
BOSTON — A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening to kill members of the state’s Jewish community and bombing local synagogues.
John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of communicating a threat to injure a person in interstate commerce, and one count of for stalking with a weapon. facility of interstate commerce.
“This defendant’s threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children struck fear in the hearts of congregants at a time when Jews are already facing a disturbing increase in threats,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement . “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence.”
Jodi Cohen, the special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Field Office, said the guilty plea sends the message that “you can’t call people and threaten them with violent physical harm and not face repercussions.”
“People of all races and creeds deserve to feel safe in their communities,” she said.
In January, Reardon called the Agudas Achim Congregation in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and left a voicemail in which he made several threats to kill congregants and bomb the synagogue, including that “if you can kill the Palestinians, we can kill you,” he said. the federal authorities. Ten minutes later he allegedly called another local synagogue and a Jewish organization.
Reardon was arrested days later.
“We are grateful that Mr. Reardon has admitted responsibility for his actions,” said Rabbi Talya Weisbard Shalem of Congregation Agudas Achim. “What he did was shocking and disturbing to those in our community who had to experience it. I am encouraged that Mr Reardon has apparently recognized the harm he has caused and wants to make amends.’
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza, there has been a sharp increase in the number of incidents harassment and claims of bias against both the Jewish and Muslim communities.
Reardon faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000 on the three charges. No sentencing date was set.
No phone number could be found for Reardon and his attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.