An American citizen was charged with attempting to firebomb a U.S. Embassy branch office in Israel, the Justice Department announced on Sunday.
Joseph Neumeyer, 28, a dual German citizen, was discovered last week near the embassy in Tel Aviv with a backpack containing several Molotov cocktails, according to federal prosecutors.
He is charged with attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the U.S. Embassy.
“As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, intended to incite chaos and destruction at the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv,” stated U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.
He reportedly approached the building and spat on a guard. The guard tried to detain Neumeyer, who used profanities before fleeing and leaving his backpack behind.
Authorities recovered several bottles inside the bag that had been turned into improvised incendiary devices, commonly known as “Molotov cocktails,” which contained a flammable fluid, prosecutors said. Officers with the Israeli National Police, including members of an explosive ordinance disposal team, were called to the scene in order to render the Molotov cocktails safe, prosecutors said.
No one was harmed during the incident.
File photo of the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv. (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
“Neumeyer not only made threats against Americans and U.S. diplomatic missions, but also allegedly attempted to carry out those threats by bringing potentially deadly devices to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen. “Let his arrest carry an unmistakable message: The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
Neumeyer was found at a hotel where he was staying and placed under arrest. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and Neumeyer’s attorney with the federal public defenders office for comment on the matter.
