Massachusetts Man Charged with Threatening to Kill Jews and Bomb Synagogue

By Nate Raymond

BOSTON (Reuters) – A Massachusetts man has been charged by U.S. prosecutors for threatening to kill members of the Jewish community and for making bomb threats against a synagogue. This case has been labeled a "disturbing" indication of the increase in antisemitism across the country following the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

John Reardon, 59, was charged after allegedly leaving a threatening voicemail at the Congregation Agudas Achim in Attleboro, Massachusetts, in which he stated intentions to bomb places of worship and harm children.

In his voicemail, Reardon is reported to have said, "if you can kill the Palestinians we can kill you," adding that supporting genocide could justify similar actions against those who support it.

Prosecutors indicated that just ten minutes after leaving the threatening message, Reardon contacted another synagogue and a local Jewish organization. He was subsequently arrested by local police. Following his arrest, the Bristol County district attorney’s office announced it would dismiss earlier state-level charges against him as federal prosecutors took over the case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy described the allegations as "deeply disturbing" and highlighted the growing incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia nationwide. U.S. Attorney Merrick Garland has noted the rise in such threats domestically since the October 7 attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and intensified the conflict in Gaza.

The ongoing assault on Gaza has led to a significant loss of life, with health authorities in the region reporting at least 26,600 fatalities.

Reardon faces charges for using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten individuals or locations with explosive-related harm. This charge could result in a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. He is currently being held without bail, and there has been no response from the attorney appointed to represent him.