A Hoboken man has been charged with the possession of making Molotov cocktails after an FBI probe into the attempted killing of a Palestinian activist, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced this afternoon.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Alexander Heifler, 26, of Hoboken, was charged by a two-count complaint with one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices and one count of making destructive devices, Frazer said in a statement.
Heifler’s initial appearance before U.S. District Court Stacey D. Adams is scheduled in Newark federal court was scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
As alleged in a criminal complaint, a Hudson County man has been charged in connection with a plot to construct and use improvised incendiary devices targeting another individual’s residence.
The New York Times first reported that this was an attempted plot to assassinate New York-based Pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani, which is why the FBI searched his residence on Willow Terrace yesterday, with a heavy police presence there throughout the evening.
“Late last night the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force informed me that a plot against my life that was ‘about to’ take place, and that agents had conducted an operation in Hoboken related to this plot,” Kiswani wrote on X.
“For months, Zionist organizations like Betar and politicians like Randy Fine have encouraged violence against my family and me. I will have more to say as additional details come to light. I will not stop speaking up for the people of Palestine. Thank you for your support.”
The charges of unlawful possession of destructive devices and making of destructive devices each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Frazer credited the New York and Newark Field Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and the Hoboken Police Department.
He also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, under the direction of U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour wrote on Instagram that local police were not informed about what last night’s law enforcement action entailed.
“Hoboken, I want to reassure you: our community is safe. Yesterday’s federal law enforcement activity was part of a targeted investigation. At no point were residents in danger, and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” the post says.
“I’m grateful to our Hoboken Police Department for their professionalism and to our federal partners for their coordination. As a proactive step, you may see an increased police presence in certain areas in the coming days to help maintain visibility and provide reassurance.”
The criminal complaint indicates that an undercover law enforcement officer was one of several people on a video call with Heifler where he sough to make Molotov cocktails. The undercover agent then suggested they meet in person.
At that meeting, Heifler allegedly told the agent that he was going to use Molotov cocktails to vandalize a household and had a plan to leave the country at the end of April.
“After the assembly of the Molotov cocktails [yesterday], law enforcement executed a
federal search warrant at the residence and recovered the eight Molotov cocktails,” the complaint says.
“Members of the FBI’s bomb technician squad conducted a preliminary analysis of the
Molotov cocktails, including a field test of the liquid inside the Molotov cocktail. The
field test was positive for the presence of ethanol, a known ignition liquid for
improvised incendiary devices. The preliminary analysis was that the Molotov
cocktails were destructive devices.”
A spokesperson for the FBI New York office said that the investigation is ongoing.
The mayor says the residents of Hoboken are safe and not in any danger. The end of that sentence and the part that she didn’t say is: ….as long as you don’t support Palestine and the Palestinian people.
So, ANTIFA turned against Hamas? So sorry for you. 🫠
God forbid you mention he is a jew, right John? He is just a regular white guy who hates and wants to kill innocent Muslim women, their kids and family. is that the line of crap we are supposed to believe?