A 22-year-old Utah man has been federally charged after allegedly threatening to blow up a synagogue, including an accusation that he attempted to carry out a hate crime.
Skyler AJ Rose of Ogden was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury on multiple counts, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah said. The charges include possessing an unregistered destructive device, making threats to kill or injure people and use an explosive to destroy a building, 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,” US Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah said in a statement. She credited the FBI and local police with identifying and stopping the alleged threat before anyone was injured. “If you attack or attempt to attack a place of worship, you will face the full force of the federal government,” Holyoak said.
According to court records, Rose posted several threatening messages on social media on December 23, 2025.
One post allegedly stated: “I wanna blow up a synagogue,” prosecutors said.
The posts prompted an investigation, which traced the originating IP address to Rose’s residence, according to authorities.
The FBI asked the Ogden City Police Department to assist. During a visit to Rose’s home, investigators said they confirmed that the social media account used to make the posts belonged to him.
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After obtaining a search warrant, authorities allegedly found six improvised explosive pipe bombs and one inert device, along with explosive materials and components that could have been used to build additional devices. Investigators also recovered a black Samsung cellphone, two rifles, magazines and ammunition, prosecutors said.
A later review of Rose’s phone 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, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Salt Lake City, said people should not be forced to fear for their safety because of their religion.
“Every person deserves to worship freely, without threats, intimidation, or fear,” Bohls said. He added that the FBI treats all threats seriously and that close coordination with local law enforcement helped officials respond quickly and protect the public from possible physical harm.
Prosecutors also allege that Rose’s cellphone contained child sexual abuse material, including hundreds of cached images and screenshots. He faces additional federal charges for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Rose is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court in Salt Lake City on October 23.
