A U.S. man was arrested on Sunday for attempting to firebomb the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, was arrested on Sunday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after he was deported from Israel.
The unsealed criminal complaint reveals that Neumayer, 28, initially arrived in Israel in April, but on May 19, walked up to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a dark-colored backpack.
Neumayer, a Colorado native, reportedly spat on an Embassy guard and uttered profanities as he walked past. When a guard attempted to detain him, Neumayer broke free, leaving behind his backpack in the process.
“A search of Neumeyer’s backpack revealed three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails,” the DOJ said, noting officials later found the presence of flammable fluid in the devices.
Police arrested Neumeyer in his hotel room located five blocks from the embassy, later discovering he posted on social media earlier in the day, “join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f—k the west.”
Other social media accounts believed to belong to Neumayer revealed threats to assassinate President Trump. Some of the alleged posts also include threats to Elon Musk.
“This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Director Kash Patel also condemned Neumeyer’s actions.
“This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions,” he said.
Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where Neumeyer was arrested, said he “sought to cause chaos and destruction at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.”
“His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad,” he added.
Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000, if he is convicted.
