Utah man federally charged after allegedly making threats online to ‘blow up’ a synagogue

Skyler AJ Rose, 22, of Ogden, was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City. The charges include attempting to commit a hate crime, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and threatening to kill and injure people and destroy a building with an explosive, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

According to court documents, Rose made multiple threatening social media posts on December 23, 2025, including the threat to bomb a synagogue. Investigators traced the posts to an IP address associated with the home where he lived.

The FBI contacted the Ogden City Police Department for assistance visiting the residence, and investigators confirmed that the social media handle belonged to Rose, authorities said.

During a search of the home, law enforcement allegedly recovered six improvised explosive pipe bombs, one inert device, and materials and components that could be used to build additional pipe bombs. Investigators also seized two rifles with accompanying magazines and ammunition, along with a Samsung cellphone.

A subsequent search of the phone allegedly revealed that Rose had searched online for a synagogue near him in November 2025, a month before the threatening posts. Authorities also alleged that the phone contained hundreds of cached images and screenshots depicting child sexual abuse material.

“Today’s indictment stops in its tracks an alleged plan to carry out a violent attack on a synagogue,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will take decisive action to protect American worshippers from violent threats, no matter where they occur.”

US Attorney Melissa Holyoak credited federal investigators and local police with stopping the alleged threats before anyone was harmed.

“Let these charges serve as a clear warning: if you attack or attempt to attack a place of worship, you will face the full force of the federal government,” Holyoak said.

Rose’s initial appearance is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at 1:30 pm at the Orrin G. Hatch US Courthouse in Salt Lake City.