CLEVELAND, Ohio—An Ohio man accused of making threats against the Youngstown Jewish Community Center on social media is now facing federal charges.
- Officials say this is an example of reporting suspicious behavior when you see it
- The man had a past of white nationalist behavior
- He is charged with one count of transmitting threatening communications via interstate commerce
James Reardon is accused of making those threats on an Instagram account where he’s seen firing a gun.
Officials call this an important example of reporting suspicious behavior when you see it.
Reardon was arrested after the New Middletown police chief says one of his officers was approached by someone who was previously friends with the 20-year-old.
He says the young man didn’t have a criminal past but had a past of white nationalist behavior, including attending the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The FBI says, after searching Reardon’s home, agents found an AR-15, an MP 40 World War II style submachine gun, several Nazi World War II propaganda posters, and a Hitler youth knife in his home.
At a press conference announcing the charges, the U.S. attorney had a tough message for white supremacists, while the police chief talked about Reardon and his family.
“In fact, you have a God-given, and inalienable right to be on the losing end of this argument…what you don’t have though, is the right to take out your frustration in the political arena, by resorting to violence,” said Justin Herdman U.S. attorney.
“This is a part of the largest thing that’s ever happened in New Middletown. And I knew this gentleman, I watched him grow up as a child. And I know his mother, and we’re keeping her in our thoughts and prayers also, because this is devastating for her also,” said New Middletown Police Chief Vince D’Egidio.
Reardon is charged with one count of transmitting threatening communications via interstate commerce.
The U.S. attorney would not weigh in on the severity of the punishment Reardon could be facing if convicted.
