pennsylvania man The man who briefly served in the U.S. Army faces charges of trying to join the terrorist armed group Hezbollah to “kill Jews,” the Justice Department said.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of traveling to Lebanon and Syria last year to join an Iran-backed group despite knowing it was a U.S.-designated group Terrorist organization.
According to an affidavit, Molloy holds dual U.S. and Irish citizenship and worked in armytried to join a terrorist organization many times.
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The U.S. Department of Justice said the 24-year-old convert to islam 2024.
After converting, he contacted people in Lebanon in August 2024 about becoming a Hezbollah fighter, the U.S. Department of Justice said. His contact responded that now was not the time and that he needed to take further steps.
Molloy traveled to Syria in October 2024 and attempted to join again. The Justice Department said he lied to FBI agents at Pittsburgh International Airport on a flight back to the United States, saying he did not plan to join Hezbollah, had no business in Syria and had not met anyone there.
When he returned to the United States, he continued to try to join the group, according to the Justice Department.
Authorities charged Molloy with expressing hatred and promoting violence against jews through social media.
An affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital said Molloy posted anti-Semitic sentiments on social media.
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Court documents also show he told a family member his “master plan was to join Hezbollah and kill Jews.”
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While Molloy was living in Upper St. Clair, Pa., he allegedly visited a website detailing possible incarceration locations for Robert Bowers, the U.S. Justice Department said. Bowers) executed Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue The shooting resulted in the deaths of 11 Jews.
If convicted, Molloy faces up to 20 years in prison on the material support charge. On the false statements charge, he faces up to eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.