Utah man charged for allegedly threatening to blow up synagogue

Federal authorities on Thursday charged a Utah man with a hate crime for allegedly threatening to blow up a synagogue in the state. Skyler AJ Rose was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday. The Justice Department accuses Rose of possessing improvised explosive pipe bombs. In 2025, he posted various threats online, including saying that he wanted to blow up a synagogue near Ogden, Utah, and calling for the death of all Jews. Prosecutors charged the 22-year-old with possession of an unregistered destructive device, threatening to kill and injure persons and to destroy a building with an explosive, and attempting to commit a hate crime.

Hate-motivated violence, whether attempted or otherwise, has no place in Utah communities, said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak. A place of worship should be a refuge of safety, not fear, she added. Rose is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

What other evidence did officials find? Through a search warrant, officials found evidence on Rose’s cellphone that he searched online for nearby synagogues, the department said. Additionally, the phone contained images and screenshots of child sexual abuse material, the department said. Along with the pipe bombs, officials found rifles and ammunition at Rose’s house.

Ogden police first arrested Rose in December 2025 and charged him in a U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. Rose is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.