A Pennsylvania man accused of preparing an ISIS-inspired attack had previously discussed poisoning food or drink at synagogues with ricin or cyanide, according to an FBI criminal complaint.
Federal prosecutors have charged Jonathan Hunter Kramer, 21, of Valencia, Pennsylvania, after agents arrested him on September 12 as he allegedly made final preparations for an attack.
The FBI says Kramer was carrying three 30-round rifle magazines and five boxes of ammunition when agents approached him outside a hotel in Cranberry Township.
Searches subsequently recovered a semiautomatic rifle, five magazines, approximately 190 rounds of ammunition, a scope, bipod and around 30 knives, according to the Justice Department.
Kramer is presumed innocent and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.
Synagogue poisoning allegedly discussed
The criminal complaint provides new details about attack methods Kramer allegedly discussed before his arrest.
Investigators say those discussions included arson, vehicle attacks, explosive-laden drones, shootings and chemical poisoning.
In May, Kramer allegedly discussed injecting ricin or cyanide into food or drink, including food at synagogues.
According to reporting on the complaint, Kramer described poisoning as a way to wage war against people he regarded as unbelievers.
The complaint does not identify a final target for the alleged attack agents disrupted in September, and there is no allegation that Kramer actually obtained ricin or cyanide.
Prosecutors say Kramer used the online identity “Hamza Al Rashid”, claimed affiliation with ISIS, offered explosives manuals and recorded a pledge of allegiance to the organisation.
He also allegedly discussed preparations for a “mission” and indicated that he still needed to obtain a weapon.
Previously known to the FBI
Kramer had already come to the attention of federal authorities in 2023 while he was a juvenile.
The Justice Department says he was adjudicated delinquent for conduct involving a planned mass-casualty incident and subsequently spent time in juvenile detention.
He was released in March 2026.
An anonymous tip received after his release led the FBI to investigate him again.
Six months later, prosecutors allege Kramer had pledged allegiance to ISIS and acquired the rifle and ammunition recovered during the September investigation.
The poisoning allegations provide new detail about the range of attacks investigators say Kramer had considered before his arrest.
They also show that synagogues had allegedly featured in at least some of those discussions, even though authorities have not identified the target of the attack Kramer was allegedly preparing when agents moved in.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice – federal complaint announcement
- Times of Israel – complaint details including alleged synagogue poisoning discussions
- CBS Pittsburgh – federal court appearance and case details
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