A San Luis Obispo County man was arraigned in federal court on charges related to online threats against synagogues. Elijah Alexander King, 36, faces three counts: threats and false information regarding fire and explosives, threats by interstate communication, and false information and hoaxes.
King pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for January 13, 2026. He has been held in federal custody since November 6 but was ordered released on bond while the case proceeds.
According to the indictment returned on November 19 and court documents, King allegedly used an X (formerly Twitter) account under the name “Billy Badass” to post a threat on August 28: “I’m gonna blow up every synagogue in a 20-mile radius.” He then posted, “This is a real threat send the police and report me for terrorism.” About ten minutes later, he reportedly searched online for synagogues near him using his cellphone browser.
After law enforcement contacted King about the bomb threat and sent him to a hospital for psychiatric monitoring, he continued posting from his X account. One post stated: “I got arrested and put on a 3 day psych hold for my posts against the jews.” He also re-posted another user’s message that read: “[w]e don’t need gun control. We need jew control.”
Authorities say King’s social media activity before August 28 included antisemitic statements praising Adolf Hitler as well as images of weapons such as a handgun, knives, and mace.
In September and October of this year, King allegedly sent racist voicemails and emails to the police detective involved in placing him under psychiatric care after his initial posts.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
If convicted of all charges, King could face up to ten years in federal prison for threats involving fire or explosives. The other two counts each carry potential sentences of up to five years.
The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Laura A. Alexander from the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section and Jenna W. Long from the National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
