2 days ago
Last Updated:January 05, 2025, 13:46 IST
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, who served in active-duty status in the US Army, has been indicted for supporting a terrorist organisation and making false statements.
The ex-US Army officer was indicted for supporting Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organisation in the US. (Reuters/File)
A former US Army officer in Pennsylvania is facing charges of joining the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah in an effort to explicitly “kill Jews", according to the Department of Justice.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support a foreign organisation and making false statements involving international terrorism to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He was arrested in Chicago on December 6, 2024, and indicted on Thursday.
Molloy, a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland – who previously served on active-duty status in their US Army – had travelled to Lebanon in August last year and attempted to join Hezbollah, said the Justice Department in the indictment filing.
The former Army officer had attempted to provide material support, including personnel (including himself) and services – to Hezbollah from August to December. Notably, Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organisation in the United States.
Suspect Wanted To ‘Kill Jews’
In Lebanon, Molloy was told by multiple individuals that his timing was not right and that he needed to take other steps before he could not join the organisation. He then travelled from Lebanon to Syria in October in an effort to fight for Hezbollah in the war-ravaged country.
After he returned to the United States, Molloy continued his attempts to join Hezbollah, including through communication with individuals online and in Lebanon. He also allegedly expressed his hatred toward, and promoted violence against, Jewish people, the Department said.
Molloy’s alleged animus toward Jews was also evidenced by multiple images and videos on his electronic devices and the usernames he chose for his social media and email accounts, including the username “KIKEKILLER313" on X.
In one alleged WhatsApp exchange with a family member, Molloy agreed that his “master plan was to join Hezbollah and kill Jews." he also allegedly visited a website detailing the possible incarceration location of Robert Bowers, who carried out the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting during which he murdered 11 Jewish worshippers.
The indictment also alleged that upon arriving in the US in October, Molloy had lied to FBI agents when he told them he had no plans to become involved with Hezbollah and also that he had no business in Syria. If convicted, Molloy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the material support charge and eight years and $250,000 fine for false statement charges.
The FBI Pittsburgh and Chicago Field Offices are investigating the case with substantial assistance from the US Marshals Service.
Location :Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:January 05, 2025, 13:46 IST
News world Ex-US Army Officer Faces Charges Of Attempting To Join Hezbollah 'To Kill Jews'
