Man pleads guilty to threats against Jewish community amid rising violence
- John Reardon, 59, from Millis, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to leaving threatening voicemails for synagogues in early 2024.
- The threats occurred amid a marked increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S., particularly since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023.
- The Justice Department highlighted the severity of Reardon's threats, with potential prison time of up to 20 years.
In the United States, John Reardon, a 59-year-old man from Millis, Massachusetts, recently pleaded guilty to making threats against synagogues and their members. His actions were recorded in early January 2024, when he left voicemails threatening lethal violence as retaliation for the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups. This incident occurred against a backdrop of rising anti-Semitic incidents in the country, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting over 10,000 such incidents, a staggering 200% increase, following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Reardon's threats included explicit calls to violence, instigating fear within the community as tensions escalated due to the war. In addition to the voicemails, Reardon also made numerous calls to the Israeli Consulate, aimed at harassment and intimidation. The Justice Department has commented on the severe nature of his threats, emphasizing that no individual or community should endure threats motivated by hate. A sentencing hearing for Reardon has yet to be scheduled, with the potential for a significant prison sentence pending his conviction on multiple counts, particularly for obstructing religious practices through threats of violence.