Synagogue bomb threat suspect facing 15 years in federal prison

Authorities say the suspect searched for synagogues minutes after posting violent threats online.

By World Israel News Staff

A California man has been arrested by federal authorities for threatening to bomb local synagogues on his X account.

Elijah Alexander King, 36, of San Luis Obispo, is facing charges including threats by interstate communication and threats and false information regarding fire and explosives, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

If convicted, King could face up to 15 years in federal detention.

Prosecutors say King posted threats targeting Jewish houses of worship on an X account linked to his email address and cellphone number.

In August, he wrote, “I’m gonna blow up every synagogue in a 20-mile radius.” In a subsequent post, he added “This is a real threat” and urged users to “send the police and report me for terrorism.”

Minutes after posting the threats, King reportedly used Google to search for nearby synagogues.

Law enforcement quickly located King and determined he was experiencing a mental health crisis. He was briefly held in a psychiatric facility, which led to additional angry posts on X.

“I got arrested and put on a 3-day psych hold for my posts against the Jews,” King later wrote. He also reposted another user’s tweet, stating: “[W]e don’t need gun control. We need Jew control.”

King has been in federal custody since November and was arraigned last week on charges stemming from the threats. His trial is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the San Luis Obispo Police Department were involved in the investigation.

The Secure Community Network (SCN), a nonprofit organization focused on safety for Jewish communities in North America, praised authorities for their swift response.

“This incident underscores the importance of early detection, rapid reporting, and strong follow-up by our law enforcement partners,” SCN national director and CEO Michael Masters said. “The decisive action taken by authorities demonstrates how coordinated efforts can stop threats before they escalate.”