Earlier today, Joseph Neumayer, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, was apprehended at John F. Kennedy International Airport by FBI special agents. A complaint was unsealed in the Eastern District of New York, charging Neumayer with attempting to destroy the Branch Office of the United States Embassy located in Tel Aviv, Israel using fire or explosives. Neumayer had been deported to the United States by Israeli authorities prior to his arrest.
Neumayer made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo of the Eastern District of New York, where he was ordered to be detained. According to the allegations detailed in the complaint, Neumayer arrived in Israel in April 2025. On May 19, Neumayer, aged 28, was seen near the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, carrying a dark-colored backpack.
Without provocation, Neumayer reportedly spat on an Embassy guard as he walked past. During an attempt to detain him, Neumayer broke free, leaving behind his backpack. A subsequent search of the backpack uncovered three rudimentary improvised incendiary devices, commonly known as Molotov cocktails.
Law enforcement was able to track Neumayer to his hotel, where he was arrested. Investigators examined Neumayer's social media activity, which revealed a post made earlier that day stating, “join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f---k the west.” Authorities confirmed the presence of flammable fluid in the devices found in his backpack.
Additional social media posts from an account believed to belong to Neumayer indicated threats to assassinate President Trump. On May 25, Israeli authorities deported Neumayer back to the United States.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “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.”
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York added, “As alleged, Neumayer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized, “This despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions.”
If convicted, Neumayer faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after evaluating the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Washington Field Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI New York Field Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché’s Office in Israel have also provided significant support. The Justice Department expressed gratitude to Israeli law enforcement partners for their actions that ensured no lives were lost during this incident.
The case is being prosecuted by Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Oken for the Eastern District of New York, and Trial Attorney Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
