A 22-year-old Ogden resident faces a federal indictment on charges of attempting to commit a hate crime, possessing unregistered destructive devices, threatening to kill or injure people and destroy a building with explosives, and receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Skyler AJ Rose was formally charged Wednesday by a federal grand jury. The charges stem from a Dec. 23, 2025, social media post in which Rose allegedly wrote, "I wanna blow up a synagogue."
A search warrant executed at Rose's residence yielded six functional improvised explosive devices fashioned from pipe bombs, one inert device, explosive precursors and components, according to federal prosecutors. Officers also seized two rifles with accompanying magazines and ammunition, and a Samsung cellphone.
The initial lead came through routine social media monitoring. Law enforcement traced the threatening posts to an IP address linked to Rose's residence. FBI agents coordinated with the Ogden City Police Department for a welfare check, and officers confirmed the account belonged to Rose.
A subsequent forensic examination of Rose's cellphone revealed hundreds of cached images and screenshots depicting child sexual abuse material. The examination also revealed search history from November 2025 showing Rose had researched nearby synagogues — approximately two months before the synagogue threat.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said the case demonstrates the importance of community safety and law enforcement collaboration. FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls said the case underscores the importance of religious freedom.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said the indictment "stops in its tracks an alleged plan."
Rose has not been convicted. The factual basis for the charges will be tested in federal court.
Rose's initial federal court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 23 in Salt Lake City.
