In brief
Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker of Alabama has been federally charged with issuing threats via calls and texts to multiple religious leaders, including rabbis and an imam. Documents reveal he has a history of mental illness and that weapons were discovered in his home. Authorities responded to credible violence threats toward synagogues across the region.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged Jeremy Wayne Shoemaker from Needham, Alabama, with making threatening communications directed toward various religious leaders, including rabbis and an imam, in southern states. Shoemaker allegedly sent messages expressing a desire to harm them, stating, 'I want you to die.' He faces charges of Interstate Communications Threat, as well as state charges for resisting arrest and illegal possession of a firearm. The FBI's investigation reveals Shoemaker's alarming behavior, including menacing calls made to a rabbi in Mountain Brook, Alabama, which led to the discovery of additional threats against others.Court reports indicate that mental health issues may play a role in Shoemaker's actions, with his grandmother mentioning that he has not been adhering to his prescribed medication. Alongside the weapons recovered from his residence, authorities also found a suitcase filled with ammunition and documents containing the personal information of religious figures.In one particularly threatening message, Shoemaker appeared to encourage violence against rabbis, claiming he continues to push for harm against them as a form of 'counter-terrorism.' This situation has raised serious concerns among local communities, prompting protective measures as law enforcement is actively monitoring potential threats directed toward synagogues not only in Alabama but also in neighboring states. Shoemaker is currently held in custody at the Choctaw County Jail.
