Elizabeth Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Antisemitic Threat to Injure Public Official and False Statements to FBI

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of making a threat to injure a local public official and making false statements to government agents, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Edward Arthur Owens Jr., 30.

"Today's sentencing sends two strong and unequivocal messages," said United States Attorney Rivetti. "First, it reaffirms that our community remains stronger than hate. Time and again, the people of this district have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to unity, resilience, safety, and dignity for all. Second, it again shows that our office and our law enforcement partners at every level will continue to work side by side to ensure that individuals who commit crimes driven by hate-who harm, threaten, or attempt to intimidate others because of who they are-will be held accountable to the fullest extent of federal law."

"Nearly 250 years ago, this country fought to establish a foundation of mutual respect and security for every citizen. The threats made by this individual go beyond just hate-fueled words - it is an attack on the very principles of our United States," said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. "Hatred and deception have no place here. The FBI and our partners stand united in defending every corner of our community from hate and deception, and making sure those who threaten our peace face the full force of the law."

According to information presented to the Court, on May 20, 2025, Owens knowingly and willfully transmitted via a social media messaging app the following threat to injure a local public official: "We're coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent." The reference to "109 countries" is an antisemitic assertion that Jews have been expelled from 109 different countries; it is used by antisemites to call for the expulsion of Jews from other countries and otherwise to promote hatred.

Additionally, on or about May 30, 2025, Owens made false statements to special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, telling the agents that his firearms-which included a .22 LR caliber rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, and a 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol-were all in the custody of his mother, that he did not know where the firearms were, and that he did not have access to any of them. Those statements were false in that Owens did, in fact, know that his 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol was still in his custody and control (located inside the vehicle Owens drove immediately prior to making his false statements to the FBI agents), that he still had access to this pistol, and that the pistol was not in his mother's custody.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Fischer noted that the defendant's threat "created real fear and trepidation" for the victim and "caused the victim to have to change their way of living."

Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Owens.