John Reardon, Threats to Jewish Community, Massachusetts 2024

A Massachusetts man has been convicted of threatening to kill members of the Jewish community and bomb Jewish synagogues, leaving a trail of fear in the hearts of congregants.

John Reardon, 59, of Millis, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person, and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce.

The crimes were committed on January 25, 2024, when Reardon called two synagogues in Massachusetts, leaving voicemails that included threats of violence. He was arrested by law enforcement shortly after making the calls.

Reardon also made 98 calls to the Israeli Consulate in Boston between October 7, 2023, and January 29, 2024, many of which included statements intended to harass or intimidate.

The case was investigated by the FBI Boston Field Office, with assistance from the Attleboro and Wrentham Police Departments, Massachusetts State Police, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

Reardon faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force. He also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 for transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person and stalking using a facility of interstate commerce.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, and a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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