FBI agents on Sunday arrested 28-year-old Joseph Neumayer at JFK Airport in New York City after he was deported from Israel for allegedly trying to blow up a U.S. Embassy office in Tel Aviv, according to federal authorities.

Neumayer, a dual U.S.-German citizen, was charged with “attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive” a federal facility—an act that could have caused mass casualties. After arriving in the U.S., he was immediately slapped with a detention order by U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the Eastern District of New York, the Daily Wire reports.

According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April. His first recorded interaction with Israeli authorities occurred on May 19, when he allegedly spat on an embassy guard.

“As alleged in the complaint, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April 2025. On May 19, Neumeyer, 28, arrived outside of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv carrying a dark-colored backpack. Without provocation Neumeyer spit on an Embassy guard as he walked past. Neumeyer managed to break free as the guard attempted to detain him, leaving behind his backpack,” the DOJ said.

“A search of Neumeyer’s backpack revealed three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices commonly known as Molotov cocktails. Law enforcement tracked Neumeyer to his hotel, where he was arrested,” the DOJ added.

“Neumeyer’s social media revealed that earlier in the day on May 19, he posted, ‘join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f*** the west,'” the DOJ added.

DOJ continued: “Law enforcement authorities confirmed the presence of flammable fluid in the devices. Other social media posts from an account believed to be used by Neumeyer revealed his threats to assassinate President Trump. On May 25, Israeli authorities returned Neumeyer to the United States.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement: “This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life. The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

United States Citizen Arrested for Attempted Firebombing of U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, Israel

🔗: https://t.co/Gwc67wrtj4 pic.twitter.com/K0nwFHFks2

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 25, 2025

FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the case, saying, “Joining our partners, I can confirm that today FBI agents arrested Joseph Neumayer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, on allegations of planning to firebomb the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel — as well as threats made against President Trump’s life on social media. Neumayer was arrested earlier this week in Israel — when Embassy officials discovered a backpack carrying multiple explosive devices and a social media account allegedly linked to Neumayer detailing intent to attack the Embassy and threatening President Trump. Israel returned him to the U.S. as of this morning, where our special agents arrested him at John F. Kennedy airport. He will now face justice.”