Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
The Department of Justice has revealed that a 24-year-old dual US-Irish citizen and former Army enlistee has been indicted for attempting to support and join Hezbollah.
Some shit you should know before you read: Hezbollah, also known as the “Party of God,” is a Shiite Islamist political and militant group based in Lebanon. Founded in the 1980s during the Lebanese Civil War and in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, Hezbollah has grown into one of the most prominent political and military forces in the region. It is heavily backed by Iran, which provides funding, training, and military support. In Lebanon, Hezbollah operates as a political party, holding seats in the Lebanese parliament and running extensive social and welfare programs. However, many Western nations, including the United States, Canada, and European countries, classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization due to its involvement in attacks against Western and Israeli targets, including civilians.
What’s the deal: In an announcement, the Justice Department revealed that Jack Danaher Molloy, a 24-year-old dual US-Irish citizen and former Army enlistee, has been indicted for attempting to provide material support to Hezbollah, a US-designated foreign terrorist organization, and for making false statements to federal agents. Molloy, who briefly served in the US Army in 2019 and later converted to Islam in 2024, allegedly traveled to Lebanon in August 2024 to join Hezbollah. According to court documents, he sought to fight for the militant group, which he idolized for its opposition to Israel and Jewish communities. His contacts in Lebanon ultimately prevented him from joining Hezbollah over concerns that he may be an Israeli spy. Following this, Molloy traveled to Syria in October in another attempt to join Hezbollah but returned to the US shortly after, having again failed to gain acceptance.
The DOJ alleges that Molloy also expressed hatred toward Jewish people on social media platforms, used usernames such as “KIKEKILLER313,” and explicitly stated in a WhatsApp exchange with a family member that his “master plan was to join Hezbollah and kill Jews.” His electronic devices contained images, videos, and other content that promoted violence against Jews, as well as searches related to the incarceration location of Robert Bowers, the perpetrator of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
When FBI agents questioned him at the Pittsburgh International Airport upon his return in October 2024, Molloy allegedly lied, denying any intent to join Hezbollah or any business in Syria, despite evidence showing that he had traveled there specifically to meet with a Hezbollah contact.
If found guilty, Molloy faces significant legal penalties. The charge of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Additionally, the charge of making false statements to federal agents in matters involving international terrorism carries a maximum sentence of 8 years. Combined, Molloy could face up to 28 years of incarceration. Along with imprisonment, he may also be subject to substantial financial penalties, including fines of up to $250,000 per charge.
