In a case blending anti-Semitic hate, extremist ideology, and national security concerns, a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has returned a superseding indictment against three local residents, accusing them of conspiring to deface a Jewish institution, lying to the federal government, and manufacturing and detonating illegal explosives.

The nine-count indictment, unsealed Tuesday, names Mohamad Hamad, 23; Talya Lubit, 24; and Micaiah Collins, 22. Hamad and Lubit had previously been charged in connection with the July 2024 defacement of the Chabad of Squirrel Hill, where anti-Israel graffiti including “Jews 4 Palestine” and a Hamas-associated symbol were spray-painted on the building. According to federal authorities, the new indictment goes far deeper.

Prosecutors now allege that Hamad, while applying for top-secret clearance to join the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 2023, concealed his private allegiance to Hezbollah and Hamas. The application required Hamad to swear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution and to defend the country against enemies both foreign and domestic — a commitment federal prosecutors say he never intended to keep.

Instead, Hamad reportedly told an Ohio resident that despite joining the Air Force, he remained loyal to “Palestine and Lebanon” and expressed contempt for Israel and its allies. He allegedly sent pro-Hamas messages, including one shortly after the October 7 massacre, declaring that “U.S. Muslims never surrender” and calling Hamas “freedom fighters.”

According to the Justice Department, Hamad and Collins also conspired to construct and detonate explosive devices while Hamad was serving in the military. Hamad is said to have sent a photograph of himself wearing a Hamas-style headband and wore it again while surveilling the Chabad center ahead of the attack.

Lubit, the indictment states, discussed vandalizing Jewish institutions in encrypted messages, agreeing to “decorate” the Chabad building and writing, “I can literally feel myself starting to see Jews as my enemies.” On July 29, 2024, around 1:45 a.m., Hamad allegedly drove her to the Chabad center, where she carried out the graffiti attack.

“These individuals are accused not only of hateful and targeted actions, but of violating the very oaths and duties they claimed to uphold,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Eric Olshan. “We take these crimes extremely seriously and are committed to pursuing justice and protecting the communities targeted.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Rivetti added that the case reflects a growing convergence of hate crimes and threats to national security, stressing the importance of continued collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

If convicted, Hamad could face up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Collins faces a maximum of five years, while Lubit faces up to one year and a $100,000 fine for her role in the attack.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)