A Massachusetts man accused of making violent anti-Semitic threats was arrested Saturday and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after authorities recovered a ghost gun and Nazi flag during a sweep of his home. is being asked.
Investigators say Matthew Scolas, 34, of Beverly, Massachusetts, threatened to rape a Jewish woman on an online bulletin board and motivated others to shoot anyone he saw outside a synagogue. It is suspected that
online. beverly police station
The Federal Bureau of Investigation notified local authorities on Thursday that someone in the state was posting threatening material online. This was announced by the Beverly Police Department..
Police searched Scholas' home and found a Nazi flag, a 9mm Glock “ghost gun” with no serial number, three high-capacity magazine rifles, and holes in the polymer pistol handle, scope, rifle stock, and other gun parts. The jig used to open it was recovered. It includes 11 lower receivers for rifles, according to local authorities.
Officers also found more than $70,000 in cash, a cell phone and two desktop computers.
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations praised local police for cracking down on alleged Nazi sympathizers.
Scolas' home. beverly police station
“We welcome the arrest of this suspect, appreciate the actions of law enforcement in response to this incident, and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all other faith communities targeted by hate and violence.” wrote MA Secretary General Tahira Amatul Wadud. in statement.
Skolas is currently in custody at Beverly Police Station and will undergo a mental health evaluation.
The charges against him include 12 counts of unlicensed possession of a firearm, one count of threatening to destroy a place of worship, knowingly communicating a threat with a dangerous substance, manufacturing a firearm without a serial number, and bulk feeding. This includes possession of equipment. illegal possession of devices, ammunition, and improper storage of firearms.
Skolas was arraigned Monday and held without bail, police said. He is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on January 13th.
