SAN DIEGO – The U.S. Department of Justice today charged a
Rancho Peñasquitos man with federal hate crimes, including the murder of one
person and the attempted murder of 53 others, for his actions during the April
27 shooting at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue.
John T. Earnest, 19, was charged by criminal complaint with
109 hate crimes violations. The complaint alleges that these crimes were
motivated by hatred toward the Jewish community.
“We will not allow our community members to be hunted in
their houses of worship, where they should feel free and safe to exercise their
right to practice their religion,” said U.S. Attorney Robert S. Brewer, Jr.
“Our actions today are inspired by our desire to achieve justice for all of the
victims and their families.”
“No one in this country should be subjected to unlawful
violence, injury, or death for who they are or for their religious beliefs,”
said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.
“The Department will vigorously prosecute those who commit hate crimes and acts
of domestic terrorism, and we will continue to work with our state and local
partners to bring to justice anyone who violates the civil rights of
Americans.”
“The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to gather all the
facts and ensure justice is served in this case,” said FBI San Diego Acting
Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “As we work together to bring justice
and begin the healing process, our community has shown extraordinary strength
and unity on so many levels - from our law enforcement partners, diverse
faith-based communities, and extending to our citizens and neighbors.”
According to the affidavit in support of the criminal
complaint, on April 27, Earnest drove to the Chabad of Poway Synagogue, where
members of the congregation were gathered to engage in religious worship
celebrating Shabat and last day of Passover. Earnest entered the building armed
with an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle that was fully loaded with a 10-round
magazine.
He wore a chest rig which contained five additional
magazines, each loaded with ten rounds of ammunition. The affidavit alleges
that while inside the Poway Synagogue, Earnest opened fire, killing one person
and injuring three other members of the congregation, including a juvenile.
During a pause when Earnest unsuccessfully attempted to reload his firearm,
several congregant members, including an off-duty Border Patrol Agent, chased
Earnest as he fled from the Synagogue. Earnest fled the scene in his car, but
was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement authorities who discovered the
AR-15 and additional magazines of ammunition in his car.
The affidavit further alleges that after the shooting, law
enforcement investigators found a manifesto online bearing Earnest’s name. A
copy of the mainfesto was later found on Earnest’s laptop during the execution
of a search warrant. In the manifesto, Earnest made many anti-Semitic and
anti-Muslim statements. Specifically, Earnest referred to “Jews” as a race, and
he stated his only regret was that he did not kill more people.
According to the affidavit, Earnest also admitted in the
manifesto to the arson of an Escondido Mosque in March 2019. The affidavit
alleges that on March 24, 2019, seven individuals were inside the mosque when
they smelled gasoline and saw flames coming through the crack of one of the
mosque’s doors. The individuals put out the fire, but not before the fire had
damaged the exterior of the mosque. The affidavit further alleges that surveillance
video showed a suspect arriving at the mosque in the same type of vehicle
Earnest used in committing the attack on the Synagogue. The defendant allegedly
claimed in his manifesto that he was inspired by the Tree of Life synagogue
shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the recent shootings at two mosques
in New Zealand.
Specifically, the complaint charges 109 hate crimes
violations:
54 counts of
obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs using a dangerous weapon,
resulting in death, bodily injury, and attempts to kill;
54 counts of hate
crimes in relation to the shooting in violation of the Mathew Shepard and James
Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; and,
One count of
damage to religious property by use of fire in relation to the attempted arson
of the mosque.
When hate crimes are intended to intimidate and coerce a
civilian population, they may also be considered acts of domestic terrorism.
Assistant United States Attorneys Shane Harrigan, Peter Ko,
John Parmley, and Caroline Han, along with Trial Attorney Rose Gibson of the
Civil Rights Division, are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The FBI, San Diego Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigations.
Earnest faces a maximum possible penalty of death, or life
without parole. He is currently in state custody pending state criminal
charges.
The defendant is expected to make his first appearance in
federal court on Tuesday May 14 at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael
Berg.
*The charges and allegations contained in a complaint are
merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until
proven guilty.
DEFENDANT
Case Number 19MJ1900
John T. Earnest
Age: 19
San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Obstruction of Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs Resulting
in Death and Bodily Injury; and Involving Attempt to Kill, Use of a Dangerous
Weapon - 18 U.S.C. §§ 247(a)(2),
247(d)(1) and 247(d)(3)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison or death and $250,000 fine
Hate Crime Acts – 18 U.S.C. § 249(a)(1)(B)(i)(ii)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $250,000 fine
Damage to Religious Real Property Involving Use of a
Dangerous Weapon or Fire – 18 U.S.C. §§ 247(a)(1), 247 (d)(3)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
Escondido Police Department
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