Sayerville, NJ Man Arrested For Posting A Manifesto Containing Threats To Attack A Synagogue And Jewish People

November 4, 2022

UPDATE–The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a statement that they received information of a threat to a New Jersey area synagogue and they notified community leaders and law enforcement partners. The source was identified and no longer poses a danger to the community.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), Co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism stated, the FBI has informed me that they have a high level of confidence that the subject in custody is the individual who posed this threat, and they report the individual no longer poses a threat to the community at this time.  Furthermore, they have no indication of any outstanding threat. Still, there must be absolutely zero tolerance at the local, state and federal levels for hate-fueled crimes against members of the Jewish community. Accordingly, the FBI investigation is ongoing and the FBI, along with their law enforcement partners, continue attempts to uncover any others with whom the subject may have been in contact. Now more than ever, we must come together to defeat this pernicious hatred in all of its evil forms wherever it exists.”

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said, “I am grateful to the FBI, as well as state law enforcement partners including the Attorney General’s Office, the State Police, and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, for their tireless efforts in mitigating the immediate threat to our Jewish synagogues. While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity. We will not be indifferent. We will remain vigilant. We will take any and every threat with the utmost seriousness and we will stand up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish congregations.”

Governor Murphy said, “This threat violated one of the most fundamental tenets of our nation – the right to worship according to the dictates of our consciences and our sacred and holy traditions. We will always endeavor to ensure that every New Jerseyan of every faith may continue to live, study, and worship without fear for their safety.”

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, you may notice an increased law enforcement presence around temples and synagogues today as we continue to coordinate our response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s warning of a “credible threat to synagogues in New Jersey.”  The information is not specific to any specific part of New Jersey, but it is credible.

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FBI Warning: Possible Threat To Synagogues In New Jersey — See Something, Say Something

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Statement from Governor Murphy on Mitigation of Threat to Jewish Synagogues

“I am grateful to the FBI, as well as state law enforcement partners including the Attorney General’s Office, the State Police, and the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, for their tireless efforts in mitigating the immediate threat to our Jewish synagogues. While this specific threat may be mitigated, we know this remains a tense time for our Jewish communities who are facing a wave of anti-Semitic activity. We will not be indifferent. We will remain vigilant. We will take any and every threat with the utmost seriousness and we will stand up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish congregations. 

“This threat violated one of the most fundamental tenets of our nation – the right to worship according to the dictates of our consciences and our sacred and holy traditions. We will always endeavor to ensure that every New Jerseyan of every faith may continue to live, study, and worship without fear for their safety.”

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Statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on the threat to

New Jersey synagogues

I want to commend the FBI Newark Division under the leadership of Special Agent in Charge James E. Denneh, the New Jersey State Police under the leadership of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Office of the United States Attorney, District of New Jersey under the leadership of US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness under the leadership of Director Laurie R. Doran, and the women and men of my office and New Jersey law enforcement, for their swift action in these last several hours. And I of course want to thank Governor Phil Murphy for his leadership and courage in the fight against hate and violence.

Each and every law enforcement agency in New Jersey stood up yesterday to protect and communicate with our Jewish neighbors against hate. From direct contact to synagogue leadership, to uniformed and non-uniformed police presences at places of worship, our State Police, federal partners, county prosecutor’s officers, local police departments, sheriffs and other law enforcement moved swiftly to protect synagogues and Jewish centers.

Yesterday was a clear example of the communication and collaboration that takes place among all agencies of government to protect residents against threats to our safety. This vigilance never ceases.

While this immediate threat has been mitigated, we know that others may follow and we know that hate continues to fester.

We also know that we can stop it.

This is how we standup to hate. We stand together. 

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  Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester), Co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, today issued the following statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) work to mitigate the broad threat against synagogues in New Jersey:

          “Special thanks to FBI officials and local law enforcement officers for taking swift action to monitor and mitigate the broad threat from a NJ-based individual intending to attack a Jewish synagogue and for working tirelessly to ensure our communities remain secure.

          The warning issued by the FBI on Thursday was a chilling reminder that no one anywhere is immune from the alarming surge in antisemitic hate across our country and around the world.

          Upon hearing of the threat, I immediately met with law enforcement officials and Jewish community leaders in Ocean County to offer my full and unwavering support and do whatever is necessary to keep our community members safe.

          The FBI has informed me that they have a high level of confidence that the subject in custody is the individual who posed this threat, and they report the individual no longer poses a threat to the community at this time.  Furthermore, they have no indication of any outstanding threat.

          Still, there must be absolutely zero tolerance at the local, state and federal levels for hate-fueled crimes against members of the Jewish community. Accordingly, the FBI investigation is ongoing and the FBI, along with their law enforcement partners, continue attempts to uncover any others with whom the subject may have been in contact.

          Now more than ever, we must come together to defeat this pernicious hatred in all of its evil forms wherever it exists.”

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Statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer

You may notice an increased law enforcement presence around temples and synagogues today as we continue to coordinate our response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s warning of a “credible threat to synagogues in New Jersey.”  The information is not specific to any specific part of New Jersey, but it is credible.

We are coordinating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Jersey Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and all of our local police departments to take all security precautions to protect our facilities and houses of worship in Ocean County.  Please stay vigilant and remember, if you see something, say something!  Please report suspicious activity to your local police department, call 911 or call the Counterterrorism Watch Desk at 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or email tips@njohsp.gov. 

More information will be released when it becomes available.