Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested three individuals in New York City on Thursday following an months-long undercover operation that uncovered an alleged plot to firebomb the home of a Palestinian-American activist in Brooklyn.
The suspects, identified as Marcus Rivera, 34, of Staten Island; Jennifer Walsh, 29, of Queens; and Robert Chen, 41, of Manhattan, were taken into custody without incident during coordinated raids at their respective residences. All three have been charged with conspiracy to commit arson and domestic terrorism-related offences.
According to court documents unsealed Friday, the investigation began in December 2025 when the FBI received a tip about potential threats against Layla Mansour, a 38-year-old community organizer who leads the Brooklyn Coalition for Palestinian Rights. Mansour has been prominent in organizing protests and advocating for Palestinian causes throughout New York City.
"This was a serious and credible threat against an American citizen exercising her First Amendment rights," said FBI Assistant Director Michael Torres during a press conference. "Our undercover operation prevented what could have been a devastating attack on both the target and her neighbourhood."
The criminal complaint reveals that an undercover FBI agent infiltrated the group after being introduced through social media channels where the suspects allegedly discussed their plans. Over several months, the agent recorded conversations in which the defendants detailed their intention to construct improvised incendiary devices and target Mansour's residence.
Prosecutors allege the suspects conducted surveillance of Mansour's Brooklyn Heights home and researched methods for creating firebombs using readily available materials. Text messages recovered from their phones reportedly contained explicit threats and detailed planning discussions about the timing and execution of the attack.
"The evidence shows a clear escalation from online rhetoric to concrete planning for violence," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Kim. "These individuals moved beyond speech into criminal conspiracy to commit acts of domestic terrorism."
Mansour, who was not injured and was reportedly under FBI protection during the investigation, expressed relief at the arrests while emphasizing the broader implications for activist communities. She has organized numerous rallies and educational events regarding Middle Eastern politics, drawing both support and criticism from various groups.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats against activists and community organizers across the United States. FBI data indicates a significant increase in reported threats against individuals involved in Middle Eastern advocacy and related political causes over the past two years.
Defense attorneys for the three suspects have not yet responded to requests for comment. All three defendants appeared in federal court Friday afternoon and were ordered held pending detention hearings scheduled for next week.
If convicted on all charges, Rivera, Walsh, and Chen could face up to 20 years in federal prison for the terrorism-related conspiracy charges, with additional penalties for the arson conspiracy counts.
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD's Intelligence Division and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Federal prosecutors indicated the case remains active as authorities continue examining potential connections to other threats or individuals.