BOSTON (WWLP) - A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty on Monday morning in connection with threatening to kill members of the Jewish community and threats to bomb local places of worship. In a news release from the Department of Justice, 59-year-old John Reardon of Millis pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce. Nine arrested in Massachusetts on drug charges in gang operation takedown On Jan. 25 Reardon allegedly called Congregation Agudas Achim, a synagogue in Attleboro, and left a voicemail with the following statements: “You do realize that by supporting genocide that means it’s ok for people to commit genocide against you;” “With supporting the killing of innocent little children, that means it’s OK to kill your children;” “From the river to the sea;” “People are going to use your logic against you, you stupid f****;” “Guess what? We are going to use your logic —if you can kill the Palestinians, we can kill you;” “If you can bomb their f***ing places of worship we can bomb yours, if you can kill their children we can kill yours;” “You people need to stop the f***ing genocide;” “End the genocide, or it is time to end Israel and all the Jews;” “I supported Jewish people though. Not anymore. A matter of fact I think we should kill you(s) all;” and “Have a lousy day and oh don't be surprised if there's pig blood on your steps tomorrow.” “This defendant’s threats to bomb synagogues and kill Jewish children stoked fear in the hearts of congregants at a time when Jews are already facing a disturbing increase in threats,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “No person and no community in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence. The Justice Department is committed to using the full force of our investigative and prosecutorial authorities to root out these threats and ensure that all people are protected in the expression of their faith.” “John Reardon now stands convicted of inflicting terror on the greater Boston Jewish community by threatening violence against fellow residents of Massachusetts solely because they of their Jewish faith. This insidious, pernicious conduct must be met with the full force of the criminal justice system to make sure victims and potential offenders alike know that hate crimes and acts of antisemitism will never be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “When John Reardon threatened to kill members of the Jewish community and bomb places of worship, the FBI and our partners immediately mobilized. After all, you cannot call and threaten people with violent physical harm and not face repercussions” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division. “People of all races and faiths deserve to feel safe in their communities. With today’s guilty plea, John Reardon is now a convicted felon.” It is also alleged that within 10 minutes of leaving that voicemail, Reardon called another synagogue and a local Jewish-affiliated organization. He was arrested after those calls were made. After his arrest, it was discovered that Reardon had also allegedly called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 29, 2024 and made harassing and intimidating statements. Reardon faces up to 20 years in prison for obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, up to five years in prison for transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person, and up to five years in prison for stalking using a facility of interstate commerce. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 14, 2025. Local News Headlines Town of Agawam rescinds open burning ban City of Westfield to hold annual tree lighting at new location Southampton man found not guilty of 2022 manslaughter National Cake Day: Where to get the best cake in western Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.