‘I wanna blow up a synagogue’: Online posts lead to hate crime charge against Utah man

A Utah man accused of possessing explosive devices, searching online for nearby synagogues, and making online threats to kill Jews is due in court Friday to face charges including attempting to commit a hate crime.

A federal grand jury indicted Skyler AJ Rose, 22, on Wednesday, the US Justice Department said in a release. 

Rose allegedly made threats on social media, including “I wanna blow up a synagogue,” leading the FBI to join the Ogden City Police Department in a search of his home, where they allegedly discovered six pipe bombs, two rifles and ammunition.

A review of a cellphone seized from the home allegedly showed that Rose had searched online for a nearby synagogue, according to the Justice Department.

Rose faces multiple charges

The charges Rose faces include possession of an unregistered destructive device, threats to kill and injure people and to destroy a building, and attempting to commit a hate crime.