Utah Man Indicted After Alleged Synagogue Threat; Investigators Recover Six Pipe Bombs

An Ogden, Utah, man faces federal charges after allegedly threatening online to blow up a synagogue and possessing six improvised explosive pipe bombs, two rifles and ammunition at his residence, according to the Justice Department.

A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City indicted Skyler AJ Rose, 22, on October 21. The charges include attempting to commit a hate crime, possessing an unregistered destructive device, and threatening to kill or injure people and destroy a building with an explosive.

The Justice Department announced the indictment October 22. Rose’s initial court appearance is scheduled for October 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. Courthouse in Salt Lake City.

The charges are allegations, and Rose is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Online threats prompted investigation

According to allegations described in the announcement, a social media user later identified as Rose published multiple threatening posts on December 23, 2025. One stated, “I wanna blow up a synagogue.”

Investigators traced the posts to an internet protocol address associated with the home where Rose lived. The FBI then contacted the Ogden City Police Department for assistance visiting the residence. Authorities said they confirmed that the social media account belonged to Rose.

During a search conducted under a warrant, investigators recovered six improvised explosive pipe bombs and one inert device, along with explosive precursors and components that authorities said could be used to construct additional devices.

Officers also recovered two rifles, accompanying magazines and ammunition, and a Samsung cellphone. The Justice Department described the recovered pipe bombs as functional.

The supplied announcement does not identify a particular synagogue as the intended target or provide the date of the residential search.

Become a Paid Subscriber for Exclusive Content Access and Support Independent News

Phone allegedly showed earlier synagogue search

Investigators obtained a separate warrant to search Rose’s cellphone. According to court-document allegations summarized by the Justice Department, the phone showed that Rose had searched online for a synagogue near him in November 2025, the month before the alleged threatening posts.

Authorities also said the phone contained evidence of child sexual abuse material, including hundreds of cached images and screenshots. The announcement does not specify whether a separate charge related to that material is included in the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said cooperation between federal investigators and local police allowed authorities to intervene before anyone was harmed.

“A place of worship should be a refuge of safety, not fear,” Holyoak said.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division described the case as involving an alleged plan to attack a synagogue and said the department would act to protect worshippers from violent threats.

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office and the Ogden City Police Department are jointly investigating. Assisting agencies include the Utah Department of Public Safety, sheriff’s office bomb squads from Davis and Weber counties, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Weber County Attorney’s Office.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Auchter is prosecuting the case. The announcement includes no response from Rose or his defense counsel.