The FBI arrests a Butler County man accused of participating in planning an act of terrorism. A Pennsylvania man is in custody after a month-long investigation revealed alleged plans to carry out or support an act of terrorism, according to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. PITTSBURGH — Jonathan Hunter Kramer, a 21-year-old Valencia man, was arrested in Butler County after a months-long investigation revealed alleged plans to carry out or support an act of terrorism, authorities said Tuesday. Kramer is accused of receiving a firearm and ammunition. “knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that the firearm and ammunition would be used in the commission of a felony or a federal terrorism offense,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “What you saw on Saturday is an individual who, frankly, accelerated his mobilization to commit an attack,” said Richard Evanchec, special agent in charge of the FBI in Pittsburgh. Subscribe to WTAE’s YouTube Channel The FBI and supporting law enforcement agencies tracked Kramer to a Walmart parking lot in Gibsonia on Saturday, where he met someone and obtained what investigators later identified as a gun. He was later arrested at the Cranberry Park Hotel, where a federal search warrant was executed. Photos shared by a hotel guest showed the scene as authorities carried out the search. Kramer was found in possession of a semi-automatic rifle, 130 rounds of ammunition, three 30-round capacity rifle magazines, two loaded rifle magazines, a rifle bipod and a telescopic sight, Evanchec said. “Let me be clear about this threat. Jonathan Kramer demonstrated sustained devotion to the Islamic State of Syria. He recorded an oath of allegiance to it. Following that pledge, he made efforts to spread his propaganda and shared ways to kill, all in the name of a foreign terrorist. He armed himself to carry out a mass casualty attack on the American people, and he was doing it right here in the suburbs of Pittsburgh,” Evanchec said. Among the items seized from Kramer was a note that said: “Don’t look for me. I don’t know what I did, but I can’t live in constant fear.” Attorney Troy Rivetti was asked about the scale of the attack Kramer may have been preparing for. Rivetti couldn’t comment on that specifically, but said this: “I think if you look at any of the horrible mass casualty events that have occurred, those are the standard weapons that these people use.” The investigation revealed Kramer’s alleged communications through an encrypted application he used under an online persona. In one message, Kramer allegedly said, “I am currently trying to find ways to synthesize ricin or cyanide, or some other deadly chemical.” The message continued: “I want to inject ricin or cyanide into places like grocery stores, into water/food with a syringe, or by going to food events, preferably synagogues, and putting the chemicals in your food and drinks.” The criminal complaint identified several posts, including a document, allegedly created by Kramer, that listed “methods of violence against kuffar, as well as tools that may be useful to remain anonymous.” Nightclubs, theaters, concerts, apartment buildings, hotels and schools were listed as potential targets. Fire, poisonous chemicals, trucks and firearms were mentioned as potential weapons. The following quotes are examples of excerpts from the document detailed in the criminal complaint. “Poison is a very effective weapon, chemicals like cyanide, ricin and aprin are extremely deadly…” “Firearms are probably the most universal method of violence, they are very effective for a targeted assault, here are some tips/methods to ensure maximum casualties…” Rivetti said that Kramer’s comments persisted, and on September 9, he expressed his intention to prepare for his “mission”, stating: “I just need a gun, and as soon as I have it, I will be “Ready.” Shawn Brokos, director of community safety for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, shared a statement in response to the investigation. “This case shows exactly why our partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement is important every day,” Brokos said in part. “It is also a powerful reminder that the voice of a concerned citizen reporting suspicions to authorities can save lives. The safety of our community is our top priority.” Authorities also revealed that Kramer was known to the FBI after serving time in a juvenile facility for his role in planning a mass casualty event and for possession of child sexual abuse material. Following his release from juvenile detention, an anonymous report was submitted to the FBI in March of this year, advancing the current investigation. “To the FBI and law enforcement officials for apprehending this individual before he could carry out this alleged attack, your work has been made our community safer. “This disgusting, hateful extremism has no place in our nation,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, whose district includes Butler County. Attempts to reach Kramer’s family for comment have been unsuccessful. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with the latest news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get the latest news delivered to your inbox.
