Chicago Man Charged with Threatening Synagogue
The Department of Justice charged Timothy Holmes, 31, of Chicago with threatening to shoot a synagogue after responding to a social media post by an Israeli government official about the assassination of Iran’s former regime leader. Prosecutors say Holmes also made a series of antisemitic posts and shared the purported U.S. address of the official’s relatives.
Holmes was arrested in Florida on March 18 and appeared that afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Despite the Justice Department’s objection, a judge released him on a $100,000 bond with strict conditions. He is prohibited from owning firearms, contacting victims or their relatives, or posting on social media. Authorities installed a GPS monitor and have access to his electronic devices. His travel is limited to the federal court districts in Illinois and Florida where he must appear.
Federal prosecutors highlighted multiple posts from Holmes including, “The jew will be destroyed and discarded,” “From the river to the sea every Jew will die,” “You inbred people will all die,” and “Die Jew.” They also said he expressed interest in traveling to Florida, where the Israeli official’s relatives live, and airline records confirm the trip. Holmes, a DePaul University graduate, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
