Teen charged in conspiracy to attack Texas synagogue and 'kill as many Jews as possible': Prosecutors
The teen's father called the charges "fabricated" and "way over the top."
An 18-year-old woman was being held on a $10 million bond on Thursday after authorities alleged she conspired with two men to attack a Texas synagogue and "kill as many Jews as possible," according to court records.
The suspect, Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, North Carolina, was charged with felony conspiracy to commit murder and felony conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon, according to court documents
She allegedly plotted with two men to attack the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Houston, Texas, according to court records.
"The conspiracy is to kill as many jews as possible by driving through a congregation at the synagogue," North Carolina prosecutors alleged in the court documents.
Hicks was arrested on Wednesday in North Carolina and made her first court appearance later that day in Davidson County District Court in Lexington.
Two men, only identified as "Angel" and "Teegan," allegedly plotted with Hicks to commit the attack in 2028.
The two co-conspirators, according to the court records, have not been arrested and remain unidentified.
A Davidson County judge set Hick's bond at $10 million, noting the two co-conspirators remain at large.
"Allowing a co-conspirator a chance to communicate with either of those individuals or those who could relay a message puts lives at risk," the judge wrote in his court order, according to the court documents.
In a social media post on Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI received a tip on Tuesday that "an individual out of Lexington, North Carolina was planning a mass casualty event at a Jewish Day School near Houston, Texas."
The Shlenker School, a preschool and elementary school, is affiliated and housed on the campus of Congregation Beth Israel.
Patel said the FBI field offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston worked with the Davidson County Sheriff's Office to take Hicks into custody. He said the quick work to arrest Hicks "likely saved lives."
Patel said the case remains under investigation.
Hicks' attorney, Chad Freeman in North Carolina, told ABC News on Thursday that it was too early to comment on the allegations.
"I briefly spoke to her about preliminary matters," Freeman said of Hicks.
Freeman directed ABC News to an audio statement he said Hicks' father gave the WGHP, a Fox affiliate station in High Point, N.C.
In the audio statement, Hick's father, who did not identify himself by name, claimed the charges against her daughter are "fabricated" and "way over the top."
"This is a good kid. She's been in school. She's supposed to graduate in two weeks, which she won't be able to do now," the father said.
He said he believes his daughter's arrest stemmed from her "playing some fantasy game on the internet."
"It was dark and she shouldn't have been doing it, and we're sick over it," the father said.
The father added, "She's no threat to anyone other than being a fantasy video player."
The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston said in a statement that it has been in communication with the leadership of Congregation Beth Israel and The Shlenker School, as well as law enforcement, over the threats to the campus.
The organization said Congregation Beth Israel decided to close its campus on Wednesday "out of an abundance of caution."
"After significant discussions with both the FBI and the HPD [Houston Police Department], we have been advised that it is safe for other local Jewish institutions to remain open," the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston said. "Local law enforcement agencies are increasing patrols around Houston-area Jewish institutions."
Hicks' next court appearance is scheduled for May 13 in North Carolina.
Related Topics
Popular Reads
ABC News Live