A sting operation resulted in federal agents arresting a man who they believe was going to throw an explosive device into a Florida synagogue, law enforcement sources told WSVN.
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The FBI apprehended the suspect, identified as Joseph Medina, 40, on Friday.
A man accused of plotting to detonate an explosive at a large Jewish center in South Florida has made his first federal court appearance. He is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction on the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center.
“Please be assured that our security protocols are well in place, which includes close coordination with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of our facility and the safety of our members, children, staff and visitors”, Berkun and Karp wrote in a statement posted on Facebook.
Medina is being detained at the Federal Detention Center in Miami and will remain there until at least Thursday, the day of his arraignment and bond hearing.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., identified the intended target as the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, which has a synagogue, school and meeting halls. The FBI declined to comment on the investigation, according to 7News.
According to the FBI, Medina wanted to create a leaflet to be left at the scene in which he would claim the attack was traced to the Islamic State terror group.
“When I’m doing this, I feel that I’m doing it for a good cause for Allah”, he is quoted as saying. “It’s a war man and it’s, like, it’s time to strike back here in America”.
“As a community and a nation”, she said, “we must work together to confront this kind of hatred”.
“We have seen a disturbing rise in threats and attacks on community institutions and, when finalized, the funds provided under the NSGP will not only keep our community safer, it will also be a statement of solidarity and support in the face of such threats”, Nathan Diament, the Orthodox Union’s executive director for public policy, said in June when a Senate panel okayed upping the funds from $13 million to $25 million.
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Medina then shifted his focus to leaving a bomb behind, the affidavit said.
