FBI arrests suspect accused of threatening Jewish community centers

(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

published 3 March 2017

On Friday, the FBI arrested a man in St. Louis, Missouri, believed to be behind at least eight of the recent bomb threats against Jewish community centers. Juan Thompson, 31, allegedly made the threats "as part of a sustained campaign to harass and intimidate" a woman he used to be in a relationship with, authorities said. Thompson has been charged in New York for cyberstalking by making bombs threats against Jewish community centers in the woman's name.

Thompson's alleged threats are part of a broader rise in anti-Semitic acts across the nation. At least 100 Jewish community centers and schools in the U.S. have received bomb threats since the beginning of 2017. "We will continue to pursue those who peddle fear, making false claims about serious crimes," New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill said in a statement Friday.