Latest news with #JohnReardon
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israeli consulate
A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Thursday to more than two years in prison after he threatened to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children in a series of calls he placed to two local houses of worship and the Israeli consulate in Boston after Israel and Hamas went to war in 2023. John Reardon, 60, was sentenced by US district judge Julia Kobick in Boston to 26 months in custody after pleading guilty in November to charges related to what prosecutors said were dozens of violent and anti-Semitic calls and voicemails he placed to Jewish institutions beginning on October 7 2023. Reardon's attorney did not respond to a request for comment, but in court papers she argued for a nine-month sentence, saying mental health issues led Reardon to commit a crime that was 'terrifying, deeply hurtful and will cause lasting fear in the victims'. He was charged in January 2024 as the US justice department began to warn of a growing number of anti-Semitic threats nationally after the onset of the war. The war began on October 7 2023 when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians in its assault on Gaza since then, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave. Prosecutors in court papers said Reardon, in a voicemail left with a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on January 25 2024, said 'you do realise that by supporting genocide that means it's OK for people to commit genocide against you'. Prosecutors said Reardon also threatened to bomb Jewish places of worship and said by 'supporting the killing of innocent little children that means it's OK to kill your children'. Prosecutors said he then called another synagogue in Sharon, Massachusetts, and left a threatening voicemail. He also called the Israeli consulate in Boston 98 times over several months, saying in one call it was 'time to prepare the furnaces again', according to prosecutors, a reference to the Nazis' systematic extermination of Jews in the World War 2 Holocaust.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Massachusetts man jailed for antisemitic threats to synagogues
BOSTON: A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 26 months in prison for making violent threats against synagogues and the Israeli consulate. John Reardon, 60, pleaded guilty in November to charges linked to antisemitic voicemails and calls targeting Jewish institutions. The threats began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, escalating into dozens of violent messages. Prosecutors revealed Reardon threatened to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children in voicemails left at two Massachusetts temples. In one message, he accused a synagogue of supporting genocide, saying it justified retaliation against them. He also called the Israeli consulate 98 times, referencing Nazi extermination methods in one chilling threat. Reardon's lawyer argued for a lighter sentence, citing mental health struggles behind his actions. The case highlights rising antisemitic threats in the U.S. following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli officials reported 1,200 deaths in the initial Hamas attack, while Gaza health authorities cite over 61,000 Palestinian fatalities since. Judge Julia Kobick handed down the sentence, rejecting the defence's request for nine months. Reardon's threats left lasting fear among victims, prosecutors emphasised in court documents. The U.S. Justice Department has warned of increasing hate crimes targeting Jewish communities nationwide. No comment was provided by Reardon's attorney following the sentencing. - Reuters
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israel consulate
BOSTON: A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Thursday to more than two years in prison after he threatened to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children in a series of calls he placed to two local houses of worship and the Israeli consulate in Boston after Israel and Hamas went to war in 2023. John Reardon, 60, was sentenced by US District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston to 26 months in custody after pleading guilty in November to charges related to what prosecutors said were dozens of violent and antisemitic calls and voicemails he placed to Jewish institutions beginning on Oct 7, 2023. Reardon's solicitor did not respond to a request for comment. But in court papers, she argued for a nine-month sentence, saying mental health issues led Reardon to commit a crime that was "terrifying, deeply hurtful, and will cause lasting fear in the victims." He was charged in January 2024, as the US Department of Justice began to warn of a growing number of antisemitic threats nationally following the onset of the war. The war began on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians in its assault on Gaza since then, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave. Prosecutors in court papers said Reardon, in a voicemail left with a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on Jan 25, 2024, said that "you do realise that by supporting genocide that means it's OK for people to commit genocide against you." Prosecutors said Reardon also threatened to bomb Jewish places of worship and said that by "supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means it's OK to kill your children." Prosecutors said he then called another synagogue in Sharon, Massachusetts, and left a threatening voicemail. He also called the Israeli consulate in Boston 98 times over several months, saying in one call it was "time to prepare the furnaces again," according to prosecutors, a reference to the Nazis' systematic extermination of Jews in the Second World War Holocaust.
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israel consulate
FILE PHOTO: John Reardon of Millis, Massachusetts, appears in an undated booking photograph after his arrest for allegedly making a threatening call to a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, U.S. Attleboro Police Department/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo BOSTON - A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Thursday to more than two years in prison after he threatened to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children in a series of calls he placed to two local houses of worship and the Israeli consulate in Boston after Israel and Hamas went to war in 2023. John Reardon, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston to 26 months in custody after pleading guilty in November to charges related to what prosecutors said were dozens of violent and antisemitic calls and voicemails he placed to Jewish institutions beginning on October 7, 2023. Reardon's attorney did not respond to a request for comment. But in court papers, she argued for a nine-month sentence, saying mental health issues led Reardon to commit a crime that was "terrifying, deeply hurtful, and will cause lasting fear in the victims." He was charged in January 2024, as the U.S. Department of Justice began to warn of a growing number of antisemitic threats nationally following the onset of the war. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians in its assault on Gaza since then, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave. Prosecutors in court papers said Reardon in a voicemail left with a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2024, said that "you do realize that by supporting genocide that means it's OK for people to commit genocide against you." Prosecutors said Reardon also threatened to bomb Jewish places of worship and said that by "supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means it's OK to kill your children." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Asia India and China work to improve ties amid Trump's unpredictability Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Prosecutors said he then called another synagogue in Sharon, Massachusetts, and left a threatening voicemail. He also called the Israeli consulate in Boston 98 times over several months, saying in one call it was "time to prepare the furnaces again," according to prosecutors, a reference to the Nazis' systematic extermination of Jews in the World War Two Holocaust. REUTERS
Reuters
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Massachusetts man sentenced to 26 months for threats to synagogues, Israel consulate
BOSTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - A Massachusetts man was sentenced on Thursday to more than two years in prison after he threatened to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children in a series of calls he placed to two local houses of worship and the Israeli consulate in Boston after Israel and Hamas went to war in 2023. John Reardon, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston to 26 months in custody after pleading guilty in November to charges related to what prosecutors said were dozens of violent and antisemitic calls and voicemails he placed to Jewish institutions beginning on October 7, 2023. Reardon's attorney did not respond to a request for comment. But in court papers, she argued for a nine-month sentence, saying mental health issues led Reardon to commit a crime that was "terrifying, deeply hurtful, and will cause lasting fear in the victims." He was charged, opens new tab in January 2024, as the U.S. Department of Justice began to warn of a growing number of antisemitic threats nationally following the onset of the war. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians in its assault on Gaza since then, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave. Prosecutors in court papers, opens new tab said Reardon in a voicemail left with a synagogue in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2024, said that "you do realize that by supporting genocide that means it's OK for people to commit genocide against you." Prosecutors said Reardon also threatened to bomb Jewish places of worship and said that by "supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means it's OK to kill your children." Prosecutors said he then called another synagogue in Sharon, Massachusetts, and left a threatening voicemail. He also called the Israeli consulate in Boston 98 times over several months, saying in one call it was "time to prepare the furnaces again," according to prosecutors, a reference to the Nazis' systematic extermination of Jews in the World War Two Holocaust.
