A dual U.S.-German citizen was charged in a New York court Sunday, May 25th, on suspicion of attempting to firebomb the U.S. mission in Tel Aviv earlier this week.
Joseph Neumeyer, 28, was detained in Israel after the attack and deported to the United States, where he was arrested on arrival—and also accused of issuing assassination threats against U.S. President Donald Trump.
On May 19th, Neumeyer had posted on his Facebook account an invitation to “join me as I burn down the embassy,” according to the Justice Department. “Death to America, death to Americans, and f—k the west.” he wrote.
At the U.S. diplomatic mission Neumeyer spat on a guard—before running away, leaving behind a backpack. The U.S. attorney’s office then stated:
Law enforcement recovered from Neumeyer’s backpack several bottles that had been turned into improvised incendiary devices, commonly known as ‘Molotov cocktails’.
Upon arrest he was deported back to New York, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi saying her department would “prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.” If convicted, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, with a maximum fine of $250,000.
