VALENCIA / CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Jonathan Hunter Kramer, 21, of Valencia, Pennsylvania, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with receiving a firearm and ammunition knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm and ammunition would be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, including providing, attempting to provide, and conspiring to provide material support or resources to a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), the Justice Department said Tuesday. A criminal complaint is an accusation; Kramer is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

FBI agents interdicted Kramer this weekend as he returned to a hotel in Cranberry Township in possession of three 30-round capacity rifle magazines and five boxes of rifle ammunition, DOJ said. Agents then executed search warrants, seized a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition from his hotel room, and arrested him. Seized items, according to the affidavit summarized by DOJ, included a semiautomatic rifle, five rifle magazines (two loaded and three each offering 30-round capacity), a rifle bipod and scope, a total of about 190 rounds of rifle ammunition, an entrenchment tool, a prayer rug, pepper spray, and approximately 30 knives, along with a handwritten note.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, investigation confirmed Kramer had been using the online persona “Hamza Al Rashid,” who claimed affiliation with ISIS, offered to share explosive manuals with others, and expressed intent to prepare for his “mission” and that he was just missing a “weapon,” DOJ said. ABC News and local outlets including WTAE reported the same core allegations drawn from the complaint and DOJ statements.

On Sept. 12, the FBI observed Kramer leave his residence, purchase a disposable phone, acquire a long black bag from a vehicle in a retail parking lot, book a Cranberry Township hotel room in cash, and later appear at a sporting goods store gun counter before agents approached him in the hotel parking lot with bags from that purchase, DOJ said.

“As Americans observed the 25th anniversary of 9/11, our law enforcement partners were working to protect our country from the continued threat of terrorism,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Their outstanding work thwarted this alleged attack before innocent lives could be lost. The Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue anyone who seeks to terrorize the American people and bring them to justice.”

“This FBI continues to move more effectively than we ever have stopping terrorists before they harm the American people,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The subject in this case was allegedly plotting a violent attack in support of ISIS — engaging with ISIS propaganda online, building attack concepts, and repeatedly expressing extremist rhetoric — all while acquiring weapons believed to be in preparation of the attack. He has been charged with Receipt of a Firearm Knowing or Having Reasonable Cause to Believe that Such Firearm Will Be Used to Commit a Federal Crime of Terrorism. Once again, results like these are exactly why we made changes to this FBI and the way it runs – to save lives before would-be criminals can act. It’s why this FBI has disrupted 1,097 terrorists, 20% more the last 18 months before the Trump administration started — as well as executing 42% more Foreign Terrorist Organization-related arrests and dismantling 96% more FTO’s. Outstanding job by FBI Pittsburgh and our partners.”

“Kramer was taken into custody just as he appeared to be preparing for a mass shooting that could have taken many lives, having already secured a rifle and approximately 190 rounds of ammunition for what he called his ‘mission,’” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg. “His apparent ISIS inspiration and escalation toward violence show how close this country came to a devastating attack. This arrest prevented what could have been a horrific tragedy.”

“As alleged in the complaint, Jonathan’s Kramer’s words and actions during recent months have been profoundly concerning,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “We commend our partners at the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for the speed and precision with which they intervened and detained Kramer when it became clear that he was moving forward with his radical ideology and posed an increased, clear threat to our community. We will continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners at all levels to preserve the safety of our communities from individuals seeking to inflict harm on behalf of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”

According to the DOJ affidavit summary, Kramer has been known to the FBI since an earlier investigation in 2023, which resulted in Kramer, then a minor, being charged and adjudicated delinquent by Pennsylvania state authorities for his role in a plot to commit a mass casualty incident and for possessing child sexual abuse material. After his release from a Pennsylvania juvenile detention facility, an anonymous online tip on March 19, 2026, reported a return to troubling behavior, DOJ said.

Kramer made his initial appearance on Sept. 14. The United States has requested detention without bond pending trial, asserting he is a danger to the community, DOJ said. CourtListener docket entries for United States v. Kramer, 2:26-mj-01518 (W.D. Pa.), reflect the signed complaint/affidavit, appointment of Federal Public Defender Jake D. Morrison, and a preliminary examination set for Sept. 16, 2026.

A criminal complaint is an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sources