FBI arrests Fla. man who threatened to firebomb Islamic centers
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. -- Authorities say a man threatened to firebomb an Islamic center in Florida shortly after the terrorist attacks in Paris.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa reported in a statement that 43-year-old Martin Alan Schnitzler called the Islamic Society of Pinellas County last Friday. The release says he left a voicemail saying he was going to the center to "firebomb you and shoot whoever is there."
FBI agents arrested Schnitzler on Tuesday. He was charged with making a telephonic threat to kill, injure or intimidate using fire or an explosive. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Threatening phone messages were also left for the Islamic Society of St. Petersburg.
The FBI's Tampa field office spokesman, Dave Couvertier, says the calls came from the same person, who was identified and interviewed over the weekend. Couvertier says investigators found no actual plans to carry out acts of violence.
Hatem Jaber, a volunteer and teacher at the St. Petersburg mosque, says the caller threatened to "firebomb" the mosque and also said Friday's attacks in Paris were "the last straw."
Attempts to contact Schnitzler were unsuccessful, and it wasn't clear if he has an attorney.
At least 129 people were killed in Friday's attacks in the French capital.