Newtown Township police assisted the FBI and other local agencies in the region with an investigation into alleged antisemitic and Islamophobic threats.
Yaniv Gola, 50, has been charged with eight counts of interstate communication of threats, according to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Jacqueline Romero.
Court documents reveal that between August 2, 2022, and November 5, 2023, Gola utilized a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service to conceal his identity while making threatening calls across state lines.
According to court records filed in Philadelphia, between August 2, 2022 and November 5, 2023, Gola utilized a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) service to conceal his identity while making threatening calls across state lines. In the calls, he was threatening to injure, rape and kill eight different people.
The specific locations called were listed, but local groups have reported threats in recent years. However, federal court filings list the crimes as taking place in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
“You f***ing Jew, now I know where you are. I’m going to kill all you Jews … You all should be shoved back into ovens. I’m going down to [victim’s business location] to kill you,” Gola allegedly threatened.
On another call, Gola allegedly said: “I want to put a bullet in your head … You f***ing Muslims.”
Authorities said he made another call and said: “Call the police. This is a threat … We’re going to cave in your skull with a baseball bat.”
In the most recent call, Gola allegedly threatened a victim: “You’re Jewish, I’m from Hamas. You’re animals and pigs … If you don’t leave that place, we’re going to blow you up.”
If convicted, federal prosecutors said Gola could face a maximum possible sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, a $2 million fine, and an $800 special assessment.
In addition to the FBI and Newtown Township police, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Media Borough Police Department, the Cinnaminson Township (NJ) Police Department, and the Haddonfield (NJ) Police Department assisted in the investigation.
