Pennsylvania Man Charged After FBI Seizes Rifle and 190 Rounds in Alleged ISIS Plot

A 21-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged after FBI agents seized a semi-automatic rifle and 190 rounds of ammunition during an investigation into an alleged ISIS-inspired attack plot. Jonathan Hunter Kramer, of Valencia, was arrested outside a hotel in Cranberry Township.

Federal prosecutors allege Kramer had been preparing for what he called his 'mission' and had expressed support for ISIS online. The FBI said agents recovered the rifle, ammunition and magazines after executing search warrants on Kramer, his hotel room and his residence.

Pennsylvania Man Drew FBI Attention After Earlier Case

According to the affidavit, Kramer had been known to the FBI since a 2023 investigation. The filing says he was charged as a minor and adjudicated delinquent by Pennsylvania authorities over his alleged role in a plot to commit a mass-casualty incident and for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.

After his release from a Pennsylvania juvenile detention facility, an anonymous person submitted an online tip to the FBI on 19 March 2026, reporting a return to concerning behaviour.

Investigators later linked Kramer to the online persona 'Hamza Al Rashid', which allegedly claimed affiliation with ISIS, offered to share explosive manuals and referred to preparing for a 'mission' while saying a 'weapon' was still needed.

Alleged ISIS Plot Investigation Focused on September Movements

The affidavit says FBI agents watched Kramer leave his home on 12 September and travel by rideshare to a store, where he obtained a disposable phone.

Investigators later tracked him as he met another person in a car park, obtained a long black bag and checked into a hotel in Cranberry Township.

After checking in, Kramer went to a sporting goods store and was seen at the gun counter, according to the FBI. Agents approached him when he returned to the hotel car park carrying two shopping bags. He agreed to speak with them before federal search warrants were executed.

Agents said they seized a semiautomatic rifle, five rifle magazines, including two that were loaded, and approximately 190 rounds of rifle ammunition.

They also recovered a rifle bipod and scope, pepper spray, about 30 knives and a handwritten note stating, 'DoNt look For me[.] IDK what I did buT I cant live In constant Fear[.]'

Pennsylvania Man Faces Terrorism-Related Firearms Charge

Kramer was charged by federal criminal complaint with receiving a firearm and ammunition while knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that they would be used to commit a felony or federal crime of terrorism.

The complaint identifies potential terrorism offences including providing, attempting to provide and conspiring to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organisation.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said Kramer had secured a rifle and about 190 rounds of ammunition for what he allegedly called his 'mission'. He said Kramer 'appeared to be preparing for a mass shooting that could have taken many lives'.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said law enforcement 'thwarted this alleged attack before innocent lives could be lost'.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Kramer had allegedly engaged with ISIS propaganda online, developed attack concepts and acquired weapons believed to be connected to preparations for an attack.

Kramer made his initial court appearance on 14 September. The United States has asked that he be detained without bond pending trial, arguing that he poses a danger to the community.

The case is being prosecuted by federal attorneys in Pennsylvania and the Justice Department's National Security Division.