Two individuals from the Pittsburgh region have landed in the crosshairs of federal law after being indicted for conspiracy and for targeting a Jewish building with vandalism, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, led the investigation, which has since moved from charges on paper to the possibility of prison time.
Mohamad Hamad, 23, of Coraopolis, and Talya A. Lubit, 24, of Pittsburgh, stand accused as co-conspirators in the case, according to an indictment released by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Their alleged actions struck against the Chabad of Squirrel Hill, a synagogue seemingly targeted for the racial and ethnic characteristics of the Jewish community that forms its congregation.
If convicted, Hamad and Lubit could be looking at sentences of up to two years and a potential fine that might stretch to $200,000. The real impact on their lives, however, will be determined by the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the nature of the offense and the defendant's criminal history, if any. Both have been released on $50,000 unsecured bonds with conditions including home detention and close monitoring of their digital communications.
Under such heavy charges, the defendants are also prohibited from engaging with materials that could be construed as extremist or terroristic without express permission from their probation officer. This includes any content related to foreign terrorist organizations, as identified under U.S. law. Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting the case.
