BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 01: A demonstrator wears handcuffs following his arrest after he took part in a protest against government lockdown measures on May Day during the novel coronavirus crisis on May 1, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. May Day protests are taking place across Germany today, though as gatherings are limited by authorities to a maximum of 20 people per gathering due to coronavirus lockdown measures, many small protests are taking place instead of traditional, large-scale marches. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) Two men were arrested on May 13 in New York City on weapons charges; both had various anti-Semitic and racist posts online, authorities said.
The two men, identified as Joseph Miner, 29, and Daniel Jou, 40, allegedly had bought from an undercover FBI agent several weapons that had their serial numbers removed, including a machine gun and an AR-15 with a silencer.
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Hafetz alleged in court filings that Miner had said in his social media posts, “I hate women jews and n——s” and romanticized Adolf Hitler. He also allegedly celebrated a series of anti-Semitic attacks in New York in December, including the stabbing attack at a Hanukkah party in Monsey that resulted in one dead.
“[Not gonna lie] this is pretty f—ing exciting,” authorities said Miner wrote in response to the Monsey stabbing.
“[Miner] has glorified acts of murder and terrorism against racial, ethnic and religious groups,” Hafetz wrote. “More ominously, he has ruminated about engaging in such violent conduct himself.”
He added: “Miner frequently displayed suicidal ideations and fantasized about ‘martyring’ himself and ‘go[ing] out in a blaze of glory’ in a mass shooting-type of attack.”
Miner also is suspected of buying tactical gear and body armor with a Nazi insignia before he allegedly purchased the firearms from the undercover agent, according to Hafetz.
“The social media posts of the defendants expressing support of a racial, civil or holy war make the behavior alleged here even more alarming,” FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney said.
Michael Padden, Jou’s defense attorney, has argued that the guns were being purchased for self-defense.
The Anti-Defamation League tweeted, “We are grateful to the FBI & local law enforcement for arresting & bringing weapons charges against these two individuals. Coming one day after our 2019 Audit of Anti-Semitic incidents, this arrest underscores the dangers of this pernicious form of hate.”
We are grateful to the FBI & local law enforcement for arresting & bringing weapons charges against these two individuals. Coming one day after our 2019 Audit of Antisemitic incidents, this arrest underscores the dangers of this pernicious form of hate. https://t.co/e9nSswrKf8
— ADL (@ADL) May 13, 2020
Former New York Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who is the president of the Americans Against Anti-Semitism watchdog, similarly tweeted, “We know it’s coming and that violent anti-Semites are out there. Glad the authorities nipped this one in the bud, but our alert level remains highest.”
“2 Queens Men Sought Weapons Cache, Praised Anti-Semitic Attacks, Authorities Say”
We know it’s coming and that violent antisemites are out there.
Glad the authorities nipped this one in the bud, but our alert level remains highest.https://t.co/1VCLEJ99nv
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) May 13, 2020
The American Jewish Committee tweeted, “Swift law enforcement matters.”
Horrific: A white supremacist and his accomplice have been arrested by @FBI for buying assault weapons. Joseph Miner praised the Monsey Hanukkah attack and fantasized about Nazism.
Swift law enforcement matters. https://t.co/AI6Gb903Jn
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 14, 2020
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