Utah Man Charged with Federal Crimes, Synagogue Threats

A Utah man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges, including possession of an unregistered destructive device and attempting to commit a hate crime, after allegedly making online threats to "blow up" a synagogue. The indictment was returned on October 21, 2026, in Salt Lake City, and charges Skyler AJ Rose, 22, of Ogden, Utah, with several federal crimes.

According to the U. S. Attorney's Office, Rose's initial court appearance is scheduled for October 23 at the Orrin G.

Hatch U. S. Courthouse in Salt Lake City.

The charges stem from online threats made in December 2025, where a user, later identified as Rose, posted multiple threatening messages on a social media platform, including one stating, "I wanna blow up a synagogue." Investigators traced the posts to an IP address linked to Rose's residence.

During a search of Rose's home, law enforcement recovered six improvised explosive pipe bombs, an inert device, explosive precursors, and components that could be used to construct further explosive devices. Additionally, officers found a black Samsung cellphone and two rifles with magazines and ammunition. A subsequent search of Rose's cellphone revealed internet searches for a nearby synagogue in November 2025 and evidence of child sexual abuse material.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Ogden City Police Department, with assistance from several local and federal agencies, including the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Auchter is prosecuting the case.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship from violent threats, stating, "Today’s indictment stops in its tracks an alleged plan to carry out a violent attack on a synagogue." U.

S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah reiterated the commitment to addressing hate-motivated violence, noting the swift actions of law enforcement in preventing potential harm.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls highlighted the agency's dedication to taking threats seriously and ensuring the safety of individuals based on their faith. Ogden City Police Chief Jake Sube praised the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and local partners in addressing the threat.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.