Pennsylvania man who served in Army accused of trying to join Hezbollah, ‘killing Jews’: Justice Department
A Pennsylvania man who briefly served in the U.S. Army faces charges of trying to join the terrorist armed group Hezbollah to “kill Jews,” the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of traveling to Lebanon and Syria last year to join an Iran-backed group despite knowing it was a U.S.-designated group Terrorist organization.
Molloy, a dual U.S.-Irish citizen who served in the Army, tried to join the terrorist group multiple times, according to an affidavit.
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Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support the foreign terrorist organization Hezbollah and making false statements to a U.S. department or agency involving international terrorism. (Ministry of Justice)
The U.S. Department of Justice said the 24-year-old converted to Islam in 2024.
After converting, he contacted people in Lebanon in August 2024 with the hope of becoming a Hezbollah fighter, the U.S. Department of Justice said. His contact responded that now was not the time and that he needed to take further steps.
Molloy traveled to Syria in October 2024 and attempted to join again. The Justice Department said he lied to FBI agents at Pittsburgh International Airport on a flight back to the United States, saying he had no plans to join Hezbollah, had no business in Syria and had not met anyone there.
When he returned to the United States, he continued to try to join the group, according to the Justice Department.
Hezbollah terrorists train in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. (AP/Hassan Ammar)
Authorities accuse Molloy of expressing hatred and promoting violence against Jews through social media.
An affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital said Molloy posted anti-Semitic sentiments on social media.
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Court documents also show he told a family member that his “master plan was to join Hezbollah and kill Jews.”
Jack Danaher Molloy faces up to 28 years in prison. (Ministry of Justice)
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The Justice Department said that while Molloy was living in Upper St. Clair, Pa., he also allegedly visited a website detailing possible incarceration locations for Robert Bowers, who is in Pittsburgh. A shooting took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue, killing 11 Jews.
If convicted, Molloy faces up to 20 years in prison on the material support charge. On the false statements charge, he faces up to eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
