A 21-year-old Valencia, Pennsylvania resident faces federal charges after law enforcement intercepted him acquiring weapons and ammunition for an alleged ISIS-inspired mass casualty attack, the Department of Justice announced.
Jonathan Hunter Kramer was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with receiving a firearm and ammunition knowing or having reasonable cause to believe they would be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, including providing material support to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Kramer was previously adjudicated delinquent in Pennsylvania state court as a minor following a 2023 investigation into a plot to commit a mass casualty event and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Following Kramer’s release from a juvenile facility, an anonymous tip alerted authorities that he had resumed suspicious behavior, including ordering unexplained packages and contacting past associates.
Investigators discovered Kramer operating online as “Hamza Al Rashid,” claiming affiliation with ISIS, offering to distribute explosive manuals, and stating he was preparing for a “mission” while searching for a weapon.
On September 12, 2026, FBI agents observed Kramer purchase a disposable phone, acquire a long black bag from a vehicle in a parking lot, and book a Cranberry Township hotel room with cash. Witnesses noted a metallic clicking sound from his luggage.
After observing Kramer visit the gun counter of a sporting goods store, FBI agents interdicted him returning to his hotel. Search warrants executed on his person, hotel room, and residence yielded a semiautomatic rifle, five rifle magazines (including three 30-round capacity magazines), 190 rounds of rifle ammunition, a rifle bipod, scope, entrenchment tool, pepper spray, and approximately 30 knives.
Authorities also found a prayer rug and a handwritten note reading, “DoNt look For me[.] IDK what I did buT I cant live In constant Fear[.]”
“Their outstanding work thwarted this alleged attack before innocent lives could be lost. The Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue anyone who seeks to terrorize the American people and bring them to justice.” said Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“The subject in this case was allegedly plotting a violent attack in support of ISIS — engaging with ISIS propaganda online, building attack concepts, and repeatedly expressing extremist rhetoric — all while acquiring weapons believed to be in preparation of the attack… Results like these are exactly why we made changes to this FBI and the way it runs – to save lives before would-be criminals can act,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.
Kramer made his initial court appearance on Sept. 14, 2026. The government has requested that Kramer be detained without bond pending trial, citing him as a significant danger to the community.
