Holland Man Accused Of Plotting Synagogue Attack Facing Hate Crime Charges

TOLEDO, Ohio - A Holland man has been indicted on three federal counts including attempting to commit a hate crime for a plot to attack a Toledo-area synagogue.

Damon M. Joseph, 21, also known as Abdullah Ali Yusuf, was arrested in December after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles. He now stands charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, attempting to commit a hate crime, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a crime a violence stemming from his plan to attack in a synagogue in the Toledo area.

“In a matter of months, Damon Joseph allegedly progressed from radicalized, virtual jihadist to attack planner,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hughes of the FBI's Cleveland Division. “He ultimately decided to target two Toledo-area synagogues for a mass-casualty attack in the name of ISIS. Joseph will now be accountable in a court of law for his pursuit of a violent act of terrorism upon our fellow citizens attending their desired house of worship.”

According to court documents, Joseph drew the attention of law enforcement after posting photographs of weapons and messages of support of ISIS on his social medial accounts. This lead to several interactions between Joseph and undercover FBI agents.

Joseph would later forward a document to agents that laid out his plans for an attack on an area synagogue. The plan included a mass casualty shooting and included a plan for escape and potential combat with law enforcement. Joseph was later arrested after he took possession of two semi-automatic rifles that were purchased by an undercover agent.


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