Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a complaint was unsealed charging Joseph Neumeyer, a dual U.S. and German citizen, with attempting to destroy the Branch Office of the United States Embassy located in Tel Aviv, Israel. Neumeyer was deported by Israel to the Eastern District of New York on May 24, 2025, and made his initial court appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. He was ordered detained pending trial.
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi; Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; and Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Washington Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charge.
“This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Justice Department expressed gratitude to Israeli law enforcement partners for ensuring no lives were lost.
“As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad.”
Mr. Nocella also thanked various agencies including the FBI’s New York Field Office for their assistance. Appreciation was extended to several entities such as the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Tel Aviv and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for logistical support during Neumeyer's arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
“Neumeyer not only made threats against Americans and U.S. diplomatic missions but also allegedly attempted to carry out those threats by bringing potentially deadly devices to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv,” stated FBI Assistant Director Jensen. “Let his arrest carry an unmistakable message: The FBI and our partners will aggressively pursue those who attempt to harm U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
As detailed in the complaint, Neumeyer arrived in Israel in April 2025. On May 19th he posted on Facebook inciting actions against the embassy which led him outside its Branch Office carrying a backpack containing improvised incendiary devices known as "Molotov cocktails." Law enforcement recovered these items after he fled from an encounter with an Embassy guard.
Neumeyer's social media accounts also contained posts calling for President Donald J. Trump's assassination.
The charge is an allegation; Neumeyer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to 20 years imprisonment.
The government’s case is being managed by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey R Oken along with other officials from related sections handling national security matters.
