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U.S. federal authorities charged a San Luis Obispo County man with multiple offenses after he publicly threatened to bomb synagogues in the region.
The indictment, handed down last Tuesday, followed a months-long pattern of escalating antisemitic harassment.
Prosecutors Detail Violent Online Threats
According to the California Central District U.S. Attorney’s Office, 36-year-old Elijah Alexander King faces three federal counts: issuing threats involving explosives, transmitting threats across state lines, and circulating false information. The most serious charge carries a potential ten-year sentence, and the remaining two carry up to five years each. King pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
The case began in August, when King posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he intended to attack Jewish houses of worship. In one message, he wrote, “I’m gonna blow up every synagogue in a 20-mile radius… This is a real threat. Send the police and report me for terrorism.” Federal investigators say he searched online several times for nearby synagogues shortly after publishing the threat.
Law enforcement learned of the posts through the Western States Information Network, a regional intelligence agency that monitors criminal threats. Officers located King on August 28 and took him to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
After his release, King wrote online, “I got arrested and put on a three-day psych hold for my posts against the Jews.”
Antisemitic Messaging Intensified in the Following Weeks
Officials say King maintained an active online presence long before the bomb threat. Using the pseudonym “Billy Badass,” he posted praise for Adolf Hitler, shared antisemitic conspiracy theories, and uploaded images of weapons, including knives and pistols.
His behavior escalated in September and October. During that time, he sent racist voice messages and emails to the detective who had ordered the psychiatric hold. He also posted, “We don’t need gun control. We need Jew control,” as his rhetoric grew more extreme.
San Luis Obispo police arrested King without incident on October 24 in a local parking lot. He now faces state charges for a false bomb threat, along with a felony hate-crime enhancement.
Security Officials Highlight Importance of Early Detection
The Secure Community Network (SCN), the safety organization serving Jewish institutions across North America, praised the coordinated police response. SCN National Director and CEO Michael Masters emphasized the value of rapid reporting and interagency communication.
For more on nationwide security concerns, see CAM’s interview with the SCN on what Jewish Americans need to know right now.
“This incident underscores the importance of early detection, rapid reporting, and strong follow-up by our law enforcement partners,” Masters said. “The decisive action taken by authorities demonstrates how coordinated efforts can stop threats before they escalate.”
A Case Illustrating the Real-World Consequences of Online Hate
Authorities have warned repeatedly that violent online rhetoric poses a growing threat to Jewish communities. King’s indictment reflects that risk. His posts moved from inflammatory comments to explicit threats and targeted harassment within weeks.
Because digital platforms are often the first place where threats appear, Jewish institutions and security professionals stress the need to report concerning behavior as soon as it emerges. In this case, early intervention allowed federal and local agencies to disrupt a potential attack before anyone was harmed.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
