In May 2024, Joshua Cobb, a 23-year-old former Marine from Trenton, New Jersey, was arrested for threatening to kill white people and planning a mass shooting, federal prosecutors announced. In December 2022, Cobb posted on social media expressing his desire to cause "mayhem on the white community" and planned a mass shooting for 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey. He claimed to have acquired two of the four guns needed for the attack. Cobb joined the Marines in June 2022 and was stationed in California before being discharged in May 2023. The Lento Law Firm's Criminal Defense Team has helped people defend countless criminal charges, including domestic terrorism. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us to discuss your case and learn why the Lento Law Firm is the right firm to help defend your federal case.

Cobb, who identifies as Black in his online posts, spoke on social media of the struggles faced by young Black men in America, citing systemic obstacles and poverty. He admitted to the FBI that the social media accounts were his and confessed to ongoing homicidal fantasies targeting affluent white people. Although no attack occurred, Cobb was charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce, facing up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Domestic terrorism is a grave federal crime with severe consequences. If you are being investigated or prosecuted for domestic terrorism by the federal government, then it is crucial to speak to an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Understanding Domestic Terrorism

In response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States enacted the Patriot Act, which redefined certain aspects of domestic terrorism. This law defines domestic terrorism as activities that are dangerous to human life, violate federal or state laws, and appear intended to:

• Intimidate or coerce a civilian population,
• Influence government policy through intimidation or coercion,
• Affect government conduct by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.

Such activities, driven by ideological motives to harm or intimidate the U.S. or its populace, can result in domestic terrorism charges. Such charges can have severe penalties and life-altering consequences; it's critical to have experienced criminal defense attorneys like the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team in your corner.

Potential Penalties

Using violence or threats of violence based on ideological beliefs is illegal and taken very seriously by the federal government. Convictions for domestic terrorism can result in severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. The severity of the punishment often depends on whether the act resulted in loss of life or whether you used weapons of mass destruction. You might even receive a life sentence if you threatened, attempted, or conspired to use a weapon of mass destruction but did not execute the plan. Penalties for using a radiological dispersal device are also highly stiff: you might face a prison sentence of 25 to 30 years or life and financial penalties of up to $2,000,000.

Hire an Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Having a skilled criminal defense lawyer to represent your rights and interests is critical when facing federal domestic terrorism charges. The Lento Law Firm Team has helped numerous New Jersey clients facing charges for federal crimes, including domestic terrorism. Our Criminal Defense Team can evaluate your case and examine the evidence against you to help you craft an effective defense. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form to request a confidential consultation.