A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man accused of plotting a violent assault on behalf of ISIS was arrested after FBI brokers tracked him to a lodge and seized a semiautomatic rifle, 5 magazines and 190 rounds of ammunition, federal prosecutors introduced Tuesday.
Jonathan Hunter Kramer, of Valencia, had allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS, supplied to distribute explosives manuals on-line and stated he was making ready for his “mission” however nonetheless wanted a weapon earlier than brokers moved in, in line with a federal felony criticism.
Kramer is charged with receiving a firearm and ammunition, figuring out or having affordable trigger to consider they might be used to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism, together with offering or trying to supply materials assist to a delegated international terrorist group.
The FBI had been conscious since a 2023 investigation of Kramer, on the time a minor, when he was charged and adjudicated delinquent in Pennsylvania for his function in a plot to hold out a mass-casualty assault and for possessing little one sexual abuse materials, in line with the Justice Division.
Authorities started investigating him once more after an nameless tip got here in on March 19, shortly after his launch from a juvenile detention facility. The tipster stated Kramer was ordering “mysterious” packages and “speaking to his buddies from earlier than” his juvenile adjudication.
Investigators stated Kramer was utilizing the web identify “Hamza Al Rashid,” claiming an affiliation with ISIS and providing to share explosives manuals. He allegedly wrote about making ready for his “mission” and stated he was lacking a “weapon.”
On Friday, FBI brokers watched Kramer go away his residence with a bag and take a rideshare to a retailer, the place he purchased a disposable telephone, in line with the criticism.
He then met one other particular person within the parking zone, took a protracted black bag from the trunk of a automobile and traveled to a lodge in Cranberry Township, the place he paid money for a room. Witnesses on the retailer and lodge stated the bag made a metallic clicking sound when Kramer put it down.
After checking in, Kramer went to a sporting items retailer, the place brokers noticed him on the gun counter.
Brokers approached him when he returned to the lodge carrying two baggage from the shop. Searches of Kramer, his lodge room and his residence turned up a semiautomatic rifle, 5 rifle magazines — two loaded and three able to holding 30 rounds every — and 190 rounds of rifle ammunition, in line with the criticism.
Brokers additionally discovered a rifle scope and bipod, an entrenchment software, pepper spray and about 30 knives. A handwritten notice learn, “DoNt look For me[.] IDK what I did buT I cant reside In fixed Concern[.]”
Legal professional Common Todd Blanche stated the arrest got here as People marked the twenty fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist assaults.
“Their excellent work thwarted this alleged assault earlier than harmless lives might be misplaced,” Blanche stated.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated Kramer had been “plotting a violent assault in assist of ISIS,” citing his on-line exercise and acquisition of weapons.
The Justice Division didn’t determine a particular goal for the alleged assault.
Kramer was booked into the Butler County Jail and made his first court docket look Monday. Prosecutors have requested that he be held with out bond, arguing that he poses a hazard to the group.
