Alleged Plot Against AIPAC Stopped, FBI Says

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The FBI said it stopped an apparent plot against a Florida office of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), reports stated.

“Law enforcement arrested Forrest Kendall Pemberton after he allegedly traveled to Plantation, Fla., in search of AIPAC’s office with several firearms, including an AR-15 rifle,” The Hill wrote.

An affidavit signed by FBI special agent Taylor Nicklin reportedly said Pemberton told police he went to the site to scout the location before returning with firearms.

The site is described as a former AIPAC office.

The Hill reports:

He was intercepted in a ride-share vehicle carrying the guns on Dec. 25, the first night of Hanukkah.

While the court documents do not explicitly name AIPAC as the target, they described it as an organization that “advocates and lobbies for ‘pro-Israel policies that strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship” — phrasing featured on AIPAC’s website.

Pemberton’s father contacted law enforcement on Dec. 23 to notify them that his son had left home, leaving behind a letter saying he wanted to “close the loop,” “stoke the flames” and say “goodbye” to his family, according to the affidavit.

His computer showed searches and Google Maps queries for AIPAC and its former Plantation office, as well as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Taxpayer Assistance Center and the IRS Appeals and Chief Counsel Office.

Per CBS News:

According to charging documents, Pemberton was tracked by law enforcement to a hotel less than two miles from the AIPAC’s Florida address on Dec. 22 and later surveilled several hours north in Tallahassee, Florida, on Dec. 25.

Prosecutors allege in their court filings that Pemberton was in a rideshare vehicle carrying three firearms, including an AR-style rifle, and ammunition when law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle on Dec. 25.

Prosecutors allege Pemberton was interviewed by agents on Dec. 26 about his intentions. According to an FBI affidavit submitted by prosecutors, when Pemberton was asked if he was planning a “mass casualty” event then a suicide, Pemberton allegedly responded, “Um, I really don’t know if I was gonna end it with my life or not. I hadn’t gotten that far yet.It entirely depended if I ended up getting caught or not. If caught, that was a way out.”

According to charging documents, Pemberton allegedly told agents, “I had firearms with me, the purpose was twofold. Like I said before, sell ’em if I need ’em, but otherwise they can be used for criminal intent if I wanted to, which was my intention, such as harming another individual.”

Prosecutors allege in charging documents against Pemberton that he chose to target the organization “because of its political influence” and due to his “frustration with the status quo.”



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