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Federal authorities, in connection with state and city law enforcement in New York, announced on Friday morning that they had arrested a man in connection with bomb threats made against Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Juan Thompson, 31, was arrested in St. Louis, Missouri, on cyberstalking charges against a woman, according to a statement released by Manhattan Federal Court. Law enforcement agents believe Thompson phoned in some of the threats to JCCs and the ADL in the woman's name.
The complaint alleges that between July 2016 through March 2017, Thompson “used the mail, any interactive computer service and electronic communication service and electronic communication system of interstate commerce” to “engage in a course of conduct that placed that person in reasonable fear of the death of and serious bodily injury to that person.”
“Thompson’s alleged pattern of harassment not only involved the defamation of his female victim, but his threats intimidated an entire community,” FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney Jr. said in the statement.
“The defendant allegedly caused havoc, expending hundreds of hours of police and law enforcement resources to respond and investigate these threats,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill. “We will continue to pursue those who peddle fear, making false claims about serious crimes.”
The ADL tweeted Friday morning that they had been contacted by the FBI, New York State Police, and the NYPD and told that an arrest had been made “in bomb threats against ADL; several other Jewish communities.”
The ADL did not have additional comment at the time of publication.
There have been more than 100 anti-Semitic threats made to JCCs in the US and Canada this year.
Read the full complaint here.
This is a developing news story. Check back for updates or follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
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