An armed man was arrested after he allegedly traveled to Plantation, Florida, in search of an American Israel Public Affairs Committee office to harm employees there, The Hill reported Wednesday.
Forrest Kendall Pemberton, 26, of Gainesville, Florida, told police he went to the site, a former AIPAC office, to "scout" the location before returning with several firearms, according to an affidavit signed by an FBI special agent and filed in court earlier this week.
AIPAC is a national organization that advocates on issues involving Israel to Congress and the White House.
Pemberton's father notified law enforcement last week that his son left home, writing a letter saying that he wanted to "close the loop," "stoke the flames" and say "goodbye" to his family, according to the affidavit.
The suspect's computer showed searches to locate AIPAC's former Plantation office, as well as the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center and the IRS Appeals and Chief Counsel Office.
The suspect checked into a hotel on Dec. 22 just two miles away from AIPAC's former office; he apparently didn't know the group was no longer there. He checked out the next day and was traced to a Tallahassee, Florida, hotel on Dec. 24, where he was seen the following day entering a ride-share with an "apparent soft rifle case."
Police, who had been monitoring him, intercepted the vehicle and arrested Pemberton, who allegedly told authorities that he chose AIPAC as his target because of its "political influence" and location, saying he was frustrated with the "status quo" and wanted to see if he "could make a change," according to the affidavit.
The suspect said he decided against "committing criminal action," explaining that "it would have been a one-way ticket, in Plantation, I decided I wasn't ready. I gave up."
AIPAC said it took the threat "very seriously" and was working with law enforcement, according to The Times of Israel.
"We will not be deterred by extremists in pursuing our mission to strengthen the relationship with America's valued ally, Israel," an AIPAC spokesperson told The Times of Israel. "We are deeply appreciative of the FBI's work to stop this individual."
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.
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