The FBI has arrested a 26-year-old Gainesville man, Forrest Pemberton, for allegedly planning an attack on a pro-Israel lobbying organization in South Florida during the Hanukkah celebrations.
Pemberton was charged with stalking after traveling from Gainesville to Plantation, Florida, to scout an office formerly occupied by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Unbeknownst to him, AIPAC had relocated from that address, CBS News reported.
An affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Taylor Nicklin outlines the events leading to Pemberton’s arrest.
On December 23, Pemberton’s family reported him missing after discovering a disturbing letter in his room. The letter expressed anti-authority sentiments and a desire to “close the loop,” “stoke the flames,” and say “goodbye” to his family.
Family members also reported the disappearance of several firearms from his possession, including an AR-15 rifle, a 9mm Luger pistol, and a Galil rifle.
Further investigation revealed that Pemberton conducted extensive online research, including searches for the physical addresses of multiple organizations, including AIPAC. He also visited the group’s website, exploring its “About Us” and “Work with Us” sections.
Pemberton traveled from Gainesville to Plantation, Florida, staying at a hotel near the organization’s former office.
Surveillance footage and ATM transaction records confirmed his presence in the area.
He later admitted to scouting the location and contemplating a return with concealed firearms.
Law enforcement intercepted Pemberton in Tallahassee on December 25. He was found carrying three firearms, including the AR-15 rifle, along with ammunition.
In a subsequent interview, Pemberton confessed that his actions were motivated by frustration with the “status quo” and a desire to create “change” through violence.
Although he ultimately decided against executing his plan, Pemberton admitted his initial intent was to harm members of the targeted organization.
The criminal complaint and related documents were initially sealed to prevent Pemberton from fleeing or compromising the investigation. Following his arrest, the documents were unsealed this week.
According to the criminal complaint reviewed by The Gateway Pundit:
“PEMBERTON, he visited [AIPAC’s] office, unarmed, to “scout” the location, with the intent to confirm access to Victim l’s office and return to the location with the firearms concealed.
When asked if PEMBERTON would commit a mass casualty event and then take his own life, PEMBERTON stated, “Um, I really don’t know if I was gonna end it with my life or not. I hadn’t gotten that far yet. It entirely depended if I ended up getting caught or not. If caught, that was a way out.”
Regarding the firearms in his possession, PEMBERTON stated, “I had firearms with me”; “the purpose of them was twofold”;” Like I said before, sell ’em if I need ’em, but otherwise they can be used for criminal intent if I wanted to, which was my intention, such as harming another individual.”
According to PEMBERTON, he chose [AIPAC] because of its “political influence” and its relative location. PEMBERTON stated his motivation for taking this action was frustration with the “status quo” and “see[ing] if I could make a change.”
PEMBERTON further stated that while he considered committing criminal action against [AIPAC] members, he ultimately decided against it. PEMBERTON added “it would have been a. one-way ticket, in Plantation, I decided I wasn’t ready. I gave up.”
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