WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man, Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, who previously served in the U.S. Army, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of attempting to support the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and making false statements to the FBI, the U.S. Justice Department announced on Thursday.
Molloy, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Ireland, traveled to Lebanon and Syria in 2024 in an attempt to join Hezbollah, which is designated by the U.S. as a “foreign terrorist organization.” Upon returning to the U.S. in late 2024, Molloy continued his efforts to join Hezbollah and promoted hatred and violence against Jews, according to the Justice Department.
Molloy, who served as an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army from mid-March to late April in 2019, was arrested on December 6 in Chicago. He is accused of lying to the FBI about his intentions to join Hezbollah when questioned upon his return to the United States.
If convicted, Molloy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the material support charge and up to eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both for the false statement charges. A representative for Molloy could not be immediately contacted for comment.