Former journalist accused in JCC threats appears in court

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A former journalist arrested for making bomb threats at Jewish centers across the country answered to the charges in Manhattan federal court Wednesday.

31-year-old Juan Thompson is a copycat according to federal prosecutors, accused of jumping on the bandwagon, and making threats to eight Jewish organizations.

It was all allegedly just to get back at his ex-girlfriend.

Thompson was in federal court in Lower Manhattan Wednesday afternoon, indicted on one count of cyber stalking which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Thompson lives in St. Louis, but prosecutors say he made threats to JCCs in New York, Texas, California and Michigan from January 28th to February 20th.

Two of those threats were to the anti-defamation league on February 21st and 22nd on the East Side.

Court documents say Thompson sent an email to the office with his girlfriend's name and birthday saying "...(my girlfriend) is behind bomb threats against Jews. She lives in NYC and is making more bomb threats tomorrow."

A judge appointed attorney Mark Gombiner to represent Thompson.

Gombiner declined to make a bail argument, so Thompson will likely remain incarcerated until an April 10 hearing.

Thompson was fired from the online publication The Intercept last year after being accused of fabricating story details.

(Some information from the Associated Press)