A 22-year-old Utah man has been charged with multiple federal offenses after allegedly threatening to blow up a synagogue, including an attempted hate crime charge.
Skyler AJ Rose of Ogden was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. The charges include possessing an unregistered destructive device, threatening to kill or injure people and destroy a building with explosives, and attempting to commit a hate crime.
“There is no place for hate motivated violence—attempts or otherwise—in our communities. A place of worship should be a refuge of safety, not fear,” U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah said in a statement. She credited the FBI and local police with stopping the alleged threat before anyone was injured, adding that attacks or attempted attacks on houses of worship would be met with the full force of federal law enforcement.
Court documents say Rose posted several threats on social media on Dec. 23, 2025.
Skyler AJ Rose, 22, is accused of threatening to blow up a synagogue. (Ogden City Police)
One post allegedly stated, “I wanna blow up a synagogue,” prosecutors said.
Authorities began investigating and traced the posts to an internet address associated with Rose’s home. The FBI contacted the Ogden City Police Department for assistance, and officers visited the residence. Investigators said they confirmed that the social media account belonged to Rose.
During a search conducted under a warrant, investigators allegedly found six improvised explosive pipe bombs, an inert device, and explosive materials and parts that could have been used to make additional devices. Prosecutors also said officers recovered a black Samsung cellphone, two rifles, magazines and ammunition.
Skyler AJ Rose allegedly made multiple threatening posts on social media. (FBI)
A later examination of Rose’s cellphone allegedly showed that he had searched online in November 2025 for a synagogue located near him.
“Today’s indictment stops in its tracks an alleged plan to carry out a violent attack on a synagogue,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said. “The Department of Justice will take decisive action to protect American worshippers from violent threats, no matter where they occur.”
Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City FBI, said people should not have to fear for their safety because of their religion.
Investigators say a search of Skyler AJ Rose’s cellphone revealed that he searched online for a synagogue near him in November 2025. (FBI)
“Every person deserves to worship freely, without threats, intimidation, or fear,” Bohls said. He added that the FBI treats every threat seriously and that swift coordination with local law enforcement helped protect people from potential harm.
Prosecutors also allege that Rose’s cellphone contained evidence of child sexual abuse material, including hundreds of cached images and screenshots. He faces additional federal charges related to receiving and possessing child pornography.
Rose is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Salt Lake City on Oct. 23.
