A Glendale, Arizona, man who had previously pleaded guilty to making threats against the Jewish community has been federally charged with a hate crime for allegedly defacing a Phoenix synagogue. Kevin Charles Pyles, 33, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on one count of intentional defacement of religious property for posting an antisemitic flier at Sha’arei Shalom Congregation on July 11, 2025.
Federal prosecutors stated that Pyles also previously pleaded guilty in Maricopa County Superior Court to attempted making and communicating a terrorism threat stemming from online threats directed at the Jewish community and the same synagogue. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced the federal charges.
The FBI initiated an investigation on August 11, 2025, after receiving a tip regarding an X account allegedly posting violent antisemitic threats. Court filings cite posts such as “4th Reich is here Jews! I got my MP40,” which Pyles reportedly told investigators was meant to “scare Israel.” Another post stated, “I am Hitler. Start (fire emoji) down synagogues and BlackRock financial buildings. Just look them up and take them out if you’re near one. I’d do it. It’s worth the jail time for me.” Pyles allegedly claimed this post was also a “scare tactic towards Israel.”
Further posts attributed to Pyles included, “Start attacking synagogues. I’m planning on it,” and “Put propane cans by the synagogues and hit them far with a rifle. It’s time to strike the Jews.” Investigators also referenced an August 10, 2025, video posted to the account with the caption, “F–k Israel. F–k anything Jewish. I’m buying Jewish stuff and smashing it as a hobby now.” The video appeared to show a white male in a car parked near the Sha’arei Shalom driveway.
According to court filings, the individual in the video, upon noticing the synagogue's camera, displayed a drinking glass with the word “Passover” on it before throwing it onto the driveway and exclaiming, “F–k the Jews.” before driving away. Surveillance footage from the synagogue also captured Pyles placing an antisemitic flier on the front door on July 11, 2025. The flier reportedly contained derogatory remarks about the Jewish practice of circumcision, stating, “Don’t hate the fliers, hate the baby penises vampires.”
As a result of the flier and the August incident, synagogue board members reported that congregants began attending services less frequently. If convicted of the federal hate crime charge, Pyles faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both.