A Massachusetts man accused of making violent antisemitic threats was arrested on Saturday and is facing illegal gun possession charges after a ghost gun and a Nazi flag were recovered by authorities during a sweep of his home.
Matthew Scouras, a 34-year-old living in Beverly, Mass., allegedly threatened to rape Jewish women and motivated others to shoot anyone seen outside synagogues on an online message board, according to investigators.
Matthew Scouras allegedly posted numerous antisemitic threats
online. Beverly Police DepartmentThe Federal Bureau of Investigations notified local authorities on Thursday that someone in their province was posting the menacing threats online, the Beverly Police Department said.
Police searched Scouras’ home and recovered a Nazi flag, a 9mm Glock “ghost gun” without a serial number, three large-capacity magazine rifles, a jig used to drill holes in polymer pistol handles, scopes, rifle stocks, and other gun parts, including 11 lower receivers for rifles, according to the local department.
Officers also found over $70,000 in cash, a cellphone, and two desktop computers.
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations praised local law enforcement for taking down the alleged Nazi supporter.
“We welcome the arrest of this suspect, thank law enforcement authorities for their action in the case and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all other communities of faith targeted by hatred and violence,” CAIR-MA Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud wrote in a statement.
Scouras is currently being held by the Beverly Police Department and will undergo a mental health screening.
Police recovered a ghost gun, other gun parts, $70,000 in cash, and a Nazi flag at
Scouras’ home. Beverly Police DepartmentThe charges levied against him include 12 counts of unlicensed firearm possession coupled with single counts of threats to destroy a place of worship, willful communication of a threat with a dangerous item, making of a firearm without a serial number, possession of a large capacity feeding device, illegal possession of ammunition and improper storage of a firearm.
Scouras was arraigned Monday and held without bail, police said. He is set to appear in court for a detention hearing on Jan. 13.
