Federal prosecutors have announced the arrest of a New Jersey man accused of vandalizing U.S. Attorney Alina Haba’s office in Newark last week. The arrest followed a state-wide manhunt that concluded over the weekend.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that 51-year-old Keith Michael Risa from Barnegat was charged with possessing a dangerous weapon on federal property and damaging federal property. He appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jose Almonte on Monday and is now in custody.
According to the Justice Department, Risa entered the Peter Rodino Federal Building around 5 p.m. on November 12, 2025, wielding a full-sized aluminum baseball bat. He claimed he needed to reach the Attorney General’s Office, but a security guard informed him that the bat was prohibited. After leaving the building, witnesses noted he returned without the bat, looking agitated and murmuring to himself as he went through security.
Once inside, he reportedly threatened to “tear the place up” and proceeded to knock framed items off the walls, causing damage in the reception area of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned in a post that the suspect is “currently in custody,” applauding the collaboration between the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Homeland Security for apprehending Risa. She emphasized that threats against federal officials will not be tolerated.
As authorities tracked him down, Risa went into hiding after realizing that law enforcement was seeking him. His arrest on November 15 required a coordinated effort involving various federal and local agencies.
Haba praised law enforcement for their quick action and reiterated that threats or acts of violence against law enforcement will be met with justice. The FBI had identified Risa as a suspect just a day before his arrest and cautioned the public that he should be considered dangerous, encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
