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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

'Exterminate yourself and save us the trouble:' US man sentenced to prison for antisemitic threats

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Edward Arthur Owens Jr. was sentenced to 30 months in prison for making antisemitic threats and lying to the FBI.
  • Owens sent threats to a public official, stating "exterminate yourself and save us the trouble," and expressed neo-Nazi views to friends.
  • The threats caused the victim "real fear and trepidation," leading to a change in their way of life.

A Pennsylvania man, Edward Arthur Owens Jr., has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for making antisemitic threats against a public official and providing false statements to government agents. The 30-year-old resident of Elizabeth was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

We’re coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel, or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent.

— Edward Arthur Owens Jr.Owens sent this message to a public official via Facebook, according to court documents.

Owens directed threats at a public official via Facebook, stating, "We’re coming for you... be afraid. Go back to Israel, or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble." He referenced a historical justification for the expulsion of Jews from 109 countries, adding, "We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent." The threats were sent from a pseudonymously operated Facebook account, as Owens believed the victim was Jewish and supported Israel.

Jews have no place in America, go back to Israel.

— Edward Arthur Owens Jr.Owens commented this on another person's post using the same Facebook pseudonym.

Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer noted that the threats instilled "real fear and trepidation" in the victim, prompting them to alter their daily life. Owens also posted on another individual's comment, stating, "Jews have no place in America, go back to Israel.” His girlfriend reported that Owens had espoused antisemitic views since their relationship began in 2023, with these opinions becoming increasingly vocal.

the US should’ve fought with Germany in WWII. We f***ed up letting them Jews and communists have their way.

— Edward Arthur Owens Jr.Owens texted this to a friend ten days before sending the threat to the public official.

Evidence presented revealed Owens' adherence to neo-Nazi ideology. He texted a friend that the U.S. "should’ve fought with Germany in WWII" and that "the Jews and communists" had their way. He also texted "Heil Hitler" and asked a friend if he was "ready to hunt down Jews for extermination." His online searches included "Pittsburgh Jews," "NYC synagogue," and "dancing Israelis," a reference to a conspiracy theory about the September 11 attacks.

Heil Hitler.

— Edward Arthur Owens Jr.Owens texted this to a friend on the same day he asked about hunting down Jews.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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