A Pennsylvania man who previously served in the Army has been indicted on charges of attempting to join Hezbollah with the intention of committing acts of terrorism against Jews, according to the DOJ.
A federal grand jury indicted Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, on Thursday.
The DOJ announced that a Pennsylvania man, who had a brief stint in the U.S. Army, is facing charges for attempting to join Hezbollah with the intention of killing Jews.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for allegedly traveling to Lebanon and Syria last year to join an Iran-backed group, which is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
An affidavit states that Molloy, a U.S. and Irish citizen who served in the Army, tried to join a terrorist group several times.
The DOJ said the 24-year-old converted to Islam in 2024.
In August 2024, while in Lebanon, the DOJ alleges that he contacted people there about becoming a Hezbollah fighter after his conversion. His contacts replied that the timing was not suitable and that additional actions were necessary.
In October 2024, Molloy went to Syria and tried to rejoin Hezbollah. However, on his return flight to the U.S., the DOJ claimed that he lied to FBI agents at Pittsburgh International Airport about his intentions, stating that he did not intend to join Hezbollah, had no business in Syria, and did not meet anyone there.
According to the DOJ, he continued attempts to join the organization when he returned stateside.
It is alleged that Molloy spread hatred and incited violence against Jewish people through social media, according to authorities.
According to an affidavit reviewed by Planet Chronicle Digital, Molloy expressed antisemitic views on social media.
He confessed to a family member that his "master plan" involved joining Hezbollah and killing Jews, as revealed in court documents.
The DOJ stated that while living in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Molloy allegedly visited a website that provided information about the possible incarceration location of Robert Bowers, the individual responsible for the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting that resulted in the deaths of 11 Jews.
If convicted, Molloy could receive a maximum of 20 years in prison for a material support charge and up to eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both for false statement charges.
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