A Huntington Beach, California, man was arrested Friday on federal charges relating to sending threats to North Carolinians and knowingly making false bomb threats, according to federal officials.
Kevin Dunlow, age 62, is charged in a complaint unsealed in federal court in North Carolina following his arrest in California.
On or about May 7, Dunlow allegedly stated, “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
In addition, Dunlow allegedly made a false bomb threat to the Wake County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office.
Dunlow is charged with illegally using any form of communication to send a threat to harm or kidnap another person intentionally, and he is charged with illegally knowingly making false reports about bombs.
If convicted, Dunlow faces five years in prison for each charge. Dunlow is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
“Hate-fueled, violent threats endanger the safety of individuals and entire communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant is accused of making explicit and detailed threats, ranging from making a bomb threat against the Wake County Sheriff’s Office to threatening an elected official, to telling a Rabbi, ‘I am coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.’ The Justice Department will prosecute anyone who makes illegal threats motivated by antisemitism or bias of any kind.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, and several synagogues located in North Carolina while residing in California at the time the threats were made.
“We will not normalize violent threats in America, whether targeting law enforcement, elected officials, or average citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The complaint alleges the defendant made violent threats against people of faith, cops, and public servants. These cases will always receive our highest attention.”
The FBI Charlotte Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel Diaz for the Eastern District of North Carolina is prosecuting the case.