A Pennsylvania man who briefly served in the U.S. Army is accused of attempting to join the terrorist group Hezbollah with the purpose of “murdering Jews,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was sentenced Thursday by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh to travel to Lebanon and Syria last year to join an Iranian-backed group, knowing that the group was a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. He was charged with traveling.
Molloy is a dual U.S.-Irish citizen, previously served on active duty in the Army, and has attempted to join terrorist organizations multiple times, according to the affidavit.
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Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support the foreign terrorist organization Hezbollah and making false statements to a U.S. department or agency relating to international terrorism. (Ministry of Justice)
The Justice Department said the 24-year-old converted to Islam in 2024.
While in Lebanon in August 2024 after his conversion, the Justice Department alleges that he contacted Lebanese people about becoming Hezbollah fighters. His contact responded that now was not the time and further action needed to be taken.
Molloy went to Syria in October 2024 and attempted to rejoin it. On his flight back to the United States, he lied to FBI agents at Pittsburgh International Airport, saying he had no intention of joining Hezbollah, that he had no business in Syria, and that he had not met anyone there, according to the Justice Department. It is said that he hit it.
The Justice Department said he continued to try to join the organization after returning to the United States.
Hezbollah terrorists train in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. (AP/Hassan Ammar)
Authorities allege that Molloy used social media to express hatred against Jews and incite violence.
Molloy posted anti-Semitic sentiments on social media, according to an affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital.
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Court documents also revealed that he told his family that “the master plan was to join Hezbollah and kill Jews.”
Jack Danaher Molloy faces a maximum sentence of 28 years in prison. (Ministry of Justice)
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The Justice Department said Molloy lived in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, and is facing possible jail time for Robert Bowers, who carried out the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh that killed 11 Jews. He also allegedly visited a website detailing the location.
If convicted, Molloy could face up to 20 years in prison on the material aid charge. For making false statements, he could face up to eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
