A man from California, known online as “Billy Badass,” allegedly made threats to bomb every synagogue within a 20-mile range and continued his anti-Semitic tirades even after being placed under psychiatric care by law enforcement.
Elijah Alexander King, 36, hailing from San Luis Obispo, entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to federal charges that emerged from a hate-fueled incident in August. He faces the possibility of ten years in prison.
On August 28, King, using his “Billy Badass” handle, sent a message that read, “This is a real threat. Please send the police and report me for terrorism.” Just ten minutes later, prosecutors noted that he conducted searches for synagogues nearby using his phone.
Police located King and placed him in a psychiatric facility for observation, where he reportedly continued to express hate through social media.
King had previously shared, “I was arrested and given three days of mental detention for posting against Jews,” and then added, “We don’t need gun control. We need Jewish control,” as reported by the office of U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri for the Central District of California.
This isn’t King’s first encounter with making anti-Semitic remarks online. He has previously expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler and posted images featuring weapons like guns and knives. Following his release from psychiatric care, Esseri’s office stated that he contacted detectives who had evaluated him, leaving racist voicemails and emails.
If found guilty, King could face up to ten years in federal prison, along with an extra five years due to charges involving interstate threats and misinformation. His next court date is set for January 13, 2026.
