NEWARK, N.J. — A Hoboken man was charged Friday with unlawful possession and making of destructive devices, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Alexander Heifler, 26, faces two counts under a federal criminal complaint: one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices and one count of making destructive devices. Heifler was scheduled to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams at 2 p.m. Friday in Newark federal court.
According to the criminal complaint, Heifler is accused of constructing and planning to use improvised incendiary devices — commonly known as Molotov cocktails — targeting another individual’s residence. Authorities emphasized the investigation is ongoing and that there is no current threat to the public.
“We thank our law enforcement partners for their work in identifying and removing this potential threat to the citizens of New Jersey,” Frazer said in a statement.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited the FBI’s New York and Newark Field Offices, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle and Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, respectively, along with the New York Police Department, under Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and the Hoboken Police Department, under Chief Steven Aguiar, for their roles in the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York also assisted in the case.
The government is represented by Timothy M. Lanni, Acting Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, with assistance from the Office’s National Security Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations. Heifler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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