On Sunday, FBI agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City arrested a 28-year-old man charged with “attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive” a United States Embassy office in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to federal authorities.

Joseph Neumayer, who is a dual citizen of both the United States and Germany, was initially arrested in Israel and deported to the United States. He then received a detention order from U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the Eastern District of New York.

According to the press release posted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April and his first documented interaction with Israeli authorities came on May 19, when he allegedly spat on an Embassy guard.

“As alleged in the complaint, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April 2025. On May 19, Neumeyer, 28, arrived outside of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a dark-colored backpack. Without provocation Neumeyer spit on an Embassy guard as he walked past. Neumeyer managed to break free as the guard attempted to detain him, leaving behind his backpack,” the DOJ said.

“A search of Neumeyer’s backpack revealed three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement tracked Neumeyer to his hotel, where he was arrested,” the DOJ added. “Neumeyer’s social media revealed that earlier in the day on May 19, he posted, ‘join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west.’”

DOJ continued: “Law enforcement authorities confirmed the presence of flammable fluid in the devices. Other social media posts from an account believed to be used by Neumeyer revealed his threats to assassinate President Trump. On May 25, Israeli authorities returned Neumeyer to the United States.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement: “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the case, saying, “Joining our partners, I can confirm that today FBI agents arrested Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, on allegations of planning to firebomb the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel — as well as threats made against President Trump’s life on social media. Neumayer was arrested earlier this week in Israel — when Embassy officials discovered a backpack carrying multiple explosive devices and a social media account allegedly linked to Neumayer detailing intent to attack the Embassy and threatening President Trump. Israel returned him to the U.S. as of this morning, where our special agents arrested him at John F. Kennedy airport. He will now face justice.”

“As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the U.S.Embassy in Tel Aviv. His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York.

According to the DOJ release: “If convicted, Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine in the amount of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.”

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On Sunday, FBI agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City arrested a 28-year-old man charged with “attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive” a United States Embassy office in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to federal authorities.

Joseph Neumayer, who is a dual citizen of both the United States and Germany, was initially arrested in Israel and deported to the United States. He then received a detention order from U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the Eastern District of New York.

According to the press release posted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April and his first documented interaction with Israeli authorities came on May 19, when he allegedly spat on an Embassy guard.

“As alleged in the complaint, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April 2025. On May 19, Neumeyer, 28, arrived outside of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a dark-colored backpack. Without provocation Neumeyer spit on an Embassy guard as he walked past. Neumeyer managed to break free as the guard attempted to detain him, leaving behind his backpack,” the DOJ said.

“A search of Neumeyer’s backpack revealed three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement tracked Neumeyer to his hotel, where he was arrested,” the DOJ added. “Neumeyer’s social media revealed that earlier in the day on May 19, he posted, ‘join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west.’”

DOJ continued: “Law enforcement authorities confirmed the presence of flammable fluid in the devices. Other social media posts from an account believed to be used by Neumeyer revealed his threats to assassinate President Trump. On May 25, Israeli authorities returned Neumeyer to the United States.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement: “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the case, saying, “Joining our partners, I can confirm that today FBI agents arrested Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, on allegations of planning to firebomb the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel — as well as threats made against President Trump’s life on social media. Neumayer was arrested earlier this week in Israel — when Embassy officials discovered a backpack carrying multiple explosive devices and a social media account allegedly linked to Neumayer detailing intent to attack the Embassy and threatening President Trump. Israel returned him to the U.S. as of this morning, where our special agents arrested him at John F. Kennedy airport. He will now face justice.”

“As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the U.S.Embassy in Tel Aviv. His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York.

According to the DOJ release: “If convicted, Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine in the amount of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.”

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