On December 9, 2024, an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint was filed for a Pittsburgh-based, dual U.S.-Irish citizen, Jack Danaher Molloy.[1] Molloy was charged with two counts of making a false statement or representation involving international terrorism to a department or agency of the United States. According to the affidavit, Molloy embraced aspects of both neo-Nazi ideology and that of a foreign terrorist organization, Hizbullah. Around February 2024, Molloy converted to Islam, and he follows the Shi'ite sect of the religion. After traveling to Lebanon and Syria in a failed attempt to join Hizbullah, Molloy planned to join Russian forces to fight against Ukraine because signing bonuses were lucrative, and he needed to save funds for his eventual goal of fighting for Hizbullah.
Molloy's ideology embodies a wider trend in the neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and antigovernment extremist space of "white jihad" - a blending of far-right extremist ideologies and aesthetics with Islamist ideologies and aesthetics, particularly in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. However, "white jihad" has been a visible and growing trend for approximately five years. The MEMRI DTTM team has closely monitored and analyzed this trend since its inception.[2]
Molloy sent these photos to an undercover operative for a supposed application to join Hizbullah.
Brief Military Stint
Molloy was briefly enlisted in the U.S. Army as an active-duty soldier from March 2019 to April 2024.
Additionally, on or about September 1, 2021, Molloy signed a contract with the U.S. Army Reserve as a cadet with the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
In X Post, Molloy Wrote That He Wished For Martyrdom
On or about October 8, 2024, Molloy tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), "We Irish love Hezbollah, and personally, they were a major influence in me reverting to Islam and moving to Lebanon." The following day, in response to a tweet from an X user who posted a video from a soccer game in which fans were chanting, as translated into English, "Shove that Palestinian flag up your ass," Molloy tweeted, "I am not in Hezb or anything like that . . . but that day will come InshaAllah, and so will the purge of you traitors." Molloy also stated that he hoped that Allah would grant him martyrdom, because "that is the warrior's path."
Molloy’s Travels To The Middle East
On August 10, 2024, Molloy traveled to Lebanon and attempted to join Hizbullah. During his stay in Lebanon, Molloy was told by multiple individuals that the time was not right, and that he needed to take other steps before he could join the group.
In October 2024, Molloy traveled from Lebanon to Syria, hoping to join the Syrian branch of Hizbullah.
Molloy rented residences in Beirut and Forn El Chebbek, Lebanon - an area near Hizbullah's headquarters, between August 10, 2024, through October 14, 2024. Over the course of these several months, Molloy communicated with multiple individuals to achieve his goal of fighting for Hizbullah.
On or about September 20, 2024, he sent a message to an individual on Snapchat stating that he had attended a Hizballah funeral. On or about October 4, 2024, Molloy messaged an associate ("Individual a. b. c.") that "I've been told very politely that Hezb isn't recruiting anymore;" "They can't even trust Lebanese at this point;" and "Too many security breaches." Following this development, Molloy shared his intentions of studying at an Iranian madrasa:
"I am going to head to Iran either tomorrow or Sunday and start studying at an English teaching madrasa, called Al Mustafa, in Qom." On or about December 8, 2020, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Al-Mustafa because "Al-Mustafa International University is based in Iran, and maintains dozens of international branches that facilitate IRGC-QF operations through the recruitment of international students, including Americans."
Molloy Donated Blood To Victims Of Israeli Pager Attack On Hizbullah Operatives
According to Molloy, he was in Forn El Chebbak, Lebanon, when news broke regarding Israel's pager attack which targeted Hizbullah operatives. He shared that he had seen calls on social media for able-bodied individuals to donate blood at local hospitals. Molloy was inspired by these pleas and traveled to a hospital to donate blood.
Molloy Intended To Fight For Russian Forces As Part Of His "Master Plan"
On or about November 13, 2024, Molloy visited a website titled, "Putin doubles signing bonuses for volunteers to fight in Ukraine . . ." Molloy informed his mother that he planned to go to Russia for one year as part of his "master plan."
Molloy Planned To Work Security Job In Chicago To Raise Money
On or about November 22, 2024, Molloy communicated directly with an associate on X, informing the associate of his intent to travel to Chicago to work at a temporary security job that would involve patrolling private neighborhoods before he left "for good" in January 2025. Molloy stated, "I'll make sure to go up to the Jewish neighbourhood and taunt everyone"; "Get fired the first week"; "Nah I'm joking"; "Would if I could but I need the pay."
Neo-Nazi And Hizbullah Propaganda Found On Molloy's Device
An image of the antisemitic cartoon character Pepe the Frog, wearing an outfit adorned with a swastika murdering a Jew, was found on Molloy's device.
Additionally, several examples of Hizbullah propaganda were found on his device.
One image found on his phone featured a depiction of "The Happy Merchant," an antisemitic Jewish caricature, who was being executed. Above the Jewish man's head is an inverted red triangle used by Hamas to mark an Israeli target about to be attacked.
Another image on Molloy's phone had been shared by other neo-Nazis who harbor pro-jihadi sentiments. The image shows SS soldiers standing beside a jihadi fighter. "One Struggle" is written in both German and Arabic.
Molloy also selected antisemitic names for his social media and email accounts, which included variations of the phrase "Kike Killer" and "Gas the Jews."
The indictment also notes that Molloy visited a website "detailing the possible incarceration location of Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooter who murdered 11 Jewish individuals."
[1] Storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.pawd.315100/gov.uscourts.pawd.315100.10.0.pdf, December 9, 2024.
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