FLORIDA – A Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to destroying evidence related to a terrorism investigation involving an alleged threat to conduct a violent attack against Jewish individuals and synagogues.
According to United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, Christopher Raymond Joseph, 19, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to destroying records with the intent to impede or obstruct a federal investigation.
Joseph faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, the FBI was investigating a terrorism case involving a threat to conduct a violent attack against Jewish individuals and synagogues. As part of the investigation, Joseph was interviewed regarding whether he had knowledge of or involvement in this threat.
During the investigation, FBI special agents specifically requested that Joseph preserve certain records of communications on his cell phone with a suspect in another district. Within moments of their departure from his residence, Joseph deleted one of the records the FBI had discussed with him.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Joe Wheeler, III, and Assistant United States Attorney Cherie Krigsman, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
