By It might be treason. Three individuals from the Pittsburgh area have been formally charged in connection with a violent conspiracy involving plans to construct homemade explosives and deface Jewish religious institutions. One of them is a military service member who is now claiming loyalty to a foreign government.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, a dual Lebanese/ US citizen and a member of the US Air Force Pennsylvania Air National Guard, is accused of lying to get a top secret security clearance. He is also charged with a bomb threat plot to attack Jews.
In private messages he said that he is loyal to… pic.twitter.com/Xmgx3jffrY
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) April 24, 2025
At the center of the case is Mohamad Hamad, 23, a member of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. According to a newly unsealed federal indictment, Hamad allegedly collaborated with Talya Lubit, 24, and Micaiah Collins, 22, to carry out crimes ranging from the vandalism of synagogues to attempts at building pipe bombs using industrial-grade chemicals, writes CBS News.
Hamad, who, according to FBI paperwork, called himself a “Hamas operative,” was previously indicted along with Lubit for defacing Chabad of Squirrel Hill’s synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s office building in July.
Investigators said Hamad enlisted with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 2023 and was assigned to a squadron that’s part of the 171st Air Refueling Wing near the Pittsburgh International Airport. While trying to gain top security clearance, the FBI said Hamad lied to the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency about his loyalty to the U.S. during three in-person interviews.
During the same time, prosecutors allege that Hamad and Collins conspired to make a “destructive device” and discussed its potential uses. After detonating the device, investigators said Hamad built additional explosives, including two pipe bombs, detonating those as well.
“As alleged in the Superseding Indictment, Mohamad Hamad lied about his loyalty to the United States, among other false statements, in an attempt to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti in a press release. “During that time, he openly expressed support for Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Hamas. In addition to his previously charged role in defacing Jewish religious property, he also conspired with others named in this Superseding Indictment to manufacture and detonate destructive devices.”
Previously, Hamad and Lubit had been indicted for defacing the Chabad of Squirrel Hill synagogue in July with graffiti such as “Jews 4 Palestine” and an inverted red triangle—a symbol often associated with Hamas. Prosecutors now allege that Hamad misled authorities when applying for a top-secret security clearance, hiding his loyalties to Lebanon and Palestine, and claiming affiliation with Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Court documents claim that Hamad told Lubit his “ultimate goal in life is shaheed,” the Arabic word for martyr, and admitted he did not expect to live a long life. Authorities further allege that Hamad and Collins sourced materials for pipe bombs, including potassium perchlorate and black aluminum powder, noted The Washington Times.
In a disturbing message cited in the indictment, Collins inquired whether a bomb design would “rlly take bros ankles,” indicating a desire to cause serious harm.
In addition to attacking the synagogue, Hamad and Lubit are also accused of defacing property belonging to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, accusing the organization of being involved in “genocide.”
Jewish leaders have strongly condemned the attacks but remain resolute. Rabbi Henoch Rosenfeld, representing Chabad Young Professionals, stated, “We are committed to being Jewish loudly and proudly in the face of antisemitism.”
If convicted, Hamad faces up to 10 years in prison, Collins up to 5 years, and Lubit up to 1 year.
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