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Jewish center threatened via email

YOUNGSTOWN — The Jewish Community Center of Youngstown received an emailed threat that is similar to emails sent to more than 50 Jewish community centers and Jewish institutions across North America.

The threat found over the weekend was sent to an outdated address and indicated a possible bomb threat.

A statement from Rick Marlin, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation president, and Andrew Lipkin, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation executive vice-president, states law enforcement has determined that the threats are not credible and that “our JCC members, guests and community were not at any point in danger.”

“Upon discovering receipt of this email, our campus security director immediately alerted local law enforcement, the FBI, and the Secure Community Network, the national non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to homeland security initiatives on behalf of the American Jewish community,” the statement continues.

“Following an investigation, law enforcement agencies locally and nationally determined that the email threats were not credible.”

It adds, “As always, our first priority is the safety and security of any person who comes to our campus and participates in our programming. Having faced similar threats in the past, we have developed and implemented detailed protocols to respond to such scenarios.

“We are grateful for the immediate and ongoing response from local law enforcement, and we will continue to work with SCN and other national law enforcement partners to ensure the security of our entire Federation campus and to support their efforts to bring the responsible parties to justice.”

The statement also says the email went to an outdated email address.

Threats have happened before, and recently.

James P. Reardon, 20, of New Middletown is in federal custody charged with making threats toward the Jewish Community Center in Youngstown July 11 on the social media site Instagram.

In a video, Reardon is seen holding a rifle in multiple firing positions with audio of gunshots and sound effects of sirens and people screaming in the background.

The video is captioned: ‘the police have identified the shooter of the Jewish Community Center as local white nationalist Seamus O’Rearedon” — Seamus being the Gaelic version of the name James.

Reardon is charged with transmitting an interstate communication threat and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Reardon is set for trial April 21 in U.S. District Court with a pretrial hearing April 7.

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