Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jude Alexander Sleeper, 15, is facing adult criminal charges after investigators accused him of building a destructive device intended to influence government policy. Authorities also allege that he received training from, joined and acted under the direction of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
The investigation became public October 27, when the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office announced a joint inquiry with the FBI. According to authorities, investigators had received credible information that Sleeper, a Buchholz High School student, was communicating on social media with ISIS members and supporters. He allegedly sought instructions for building drones and explosives to attack people inside an unspecified location.
After speaking with Sleeper and his parents about the concerns, investigators received the parents’ permission to take and search his cellphone. A preliminary examination allegedly uncovered files containing directions for producing explosive devices and chemical compounds, along with ISIS propaganda.
Investigators also reportedly discovered two jars in Sleeper’s bedroom. Authorities said Sleeper identified the contents as separate chemical agents that could be used to produce TATP, or triacetone triperoxide—an extremely dangerous and unstable explosive capable of detonating without warning.
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Court documents allege that the device consisted of an energetic compound and a fuse. Prosecutors claim Sleeper intended to use it in an act involving “mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping” to pressure the government into changing its policies. The documents further allege that he obtained “military-type training” from a terrorist organization and tried to apply that training to “harm another person or damage a critical infrastructure facility.”
The charging documents also accuse Sleeper of “willfully” joining a terrorist organization and serving under its “direction and control.”
Sleeper has been charged with making a destructive device, engaging in terrorist activity intended to influence government conduct, using military-type training supplied by a terrorist organization, and becoming a member of a terrorist organization.
Judge Robert Groeb ordered Sleeper to face prosecution as an adult. The judge ordered him held without bail on the terrorist activity charge and set bail at $100,000 on each of the remaining three counts.
Reports about arrests are based on information provided by law enforcement agencies. The charges described in this article come from arrest reports and/or court records and represent allegations only. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
