ATLANTA -- A man with dual citizenship accused of making threats against Jewish community centers around the country - including here in metro Atlanta - has been formally charged on some of those allegations.
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that 18-year-old Michael Ron David Kadar, who holds dual United States and Israeli citizenship, was charged in connection with multiple bomb threats to Jewish community centers around Florida and threats to private residents in Georgia. Though no explosives were ever found, the threats did force temporary closures and lockdowns of the centers.
For those cases alone, he faces charges of conveying false information to police dispatch and cyberstalking.
Related:
► Man accused of 150+ Jewish community center threats tied to Athens 'SWATing'
► Atlanta Jewish Community Center receives bomb threat
► Bomb threats reported at Jewish community centers around the country
A criminal affidavit filed by FBI agents points out that while the complaint focuses primarily on threats to locations in Florida, Kadar is accused of threatening calls to locations throughout the U.S. - in at least 15 states - and abroad.
“Today’s charges into these violent threats to Jewish Community Centers and others represent this department’s commitment to fighting all forms of violent crime,” said Attorney Jeff General Sessions. “These threats of violence instilled terror in Jewish and other communities across this country and our investigation into these acts as possible hate crimes continues.”
Kadar has also been connected to threats to schools and residents in Athens, Ga. A criminal investigation began after three "SWATing" calls to elementary schools in a week's time in 2015. The first occurred on Barrow Elementary School on Aug. 12 followed by Timothy Road Elementary School on Aug. 14 and Hilsman Middle School on Aug. 19. Around the same time, calls were also made schools in Corryton and Knoxville, Tenn.
At that time, authorities also said that he was connected to as many as 150 threats to community centers around the country including some in metro Atlanta.
“This kind of behavior is not a prank, and it isn't harmless. It’s a federal crime,” said Director James Comey. “It scares innocent people, disrupts entire communities, and expends limited law enforcement resources. The FBI thanks our partners for working with us here at home and around the world.”
The investigation continues into just how far-reaching Kadar's threats were with help from several U.S. agencies and the Israeli National Police.
