A Pittsburgh suburb resident, Jack Danaher Molloy, is facing charges following allegations of lying to the FBI about his involvement with Hizballah, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The two-count criminal complaint accuses Molloy of providing false statements during a federal investigation tied to international terrorism.

The 24-year-old, holding dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland, was scrutinized after returning from a trip to Lebanon and Syria. An affidavit connected to the case reveals he traveled in August 2024 with intentions of joining Hizballah but reportedly hit obstacles. Despite setbacks, Molloy attempted to contact the organization's Syrian branch shortly after that. This account was detailed in a document released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

The investigation gathered momentum when Molloy, upon landing at the Pittsburgh International Airport on October 20, allegedly told FBI agents that he had neither current nor plans with Hizballah and denied having any business in Syria. However, the affidavit suggests that Molloy's statements were false as he had arranged to meet with an individual in Syria connected with Hizballah.

Electronic evidence from Molloy’s devices indicated a glorification of violence and a desire to target Jewish communities, activities that aligned with his purported aspirations to join the terrorist group. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt is at the helm of the government's case, with the Pittsburgh and Chicago FBI offices conducting the investigation. If convicted, Molloy faces up to eight years in prison and fines of up to $250,000, though the final sentence could vary based on the severity of the offenses and any previous criminal history.