Man Arrested for Alleged Plot to Attack LA Jewish Preschool

Federal agents arrested Steven Duenas, 51, on October 2, accused of plotting a "mass incident" at a Los Angeles Jewish preschool using Molotov cocktails. Duenas allegedly made threats against Jewish people on social media and possessed components intended to create incendiary devices.

The Los Feliz resident is accused of targeting Jems Preschool, located near his residence, for the planned attack. Prosecutors stated that Duenas posted threats on X, formerly Twitter, on September 19. One post included an image of what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail in front of a television screen displaying the burning World Trade Center, accompanied by text that read, "1st batch- Goy De Ley’ cocktail. Don’t simply watch the war, participate by enjoying a Goy De Let cocktail."

According to the complaint, "Goy" refers to a non-Jewish person, and "de ley" is an expression meaning loyal or reliable. Later that day, another post showed a glass bottle and stated, "Second cocktail of the night 271K max cocktail."

A video posted on the same day to Duenas's account featured what appeared to be Molotov cocktail ingredients, with R.E.M.'s "It's the End of the World as We Know It" playing. The accompanying text read: "It’s the end of Los Feliz as you know it, and I feel fine. I love my homies… The Houthis."

Other antisemitic posts attributed to Duenas included statements such as "Not enough synagogues have been burned down" and "I just acquired some Tomahawks from Facebook Marketplace, might bomb Jems later."

Duenas appeared in court following his arrest, shackled and visibly distressed. When asked if he wished to postpone the proceedings, he indicated readiness to continue. He mouthed "I love you" to his mother, Maria Duenas, who was present in the courtroom. Both mother and son were handcuffed when the FBI executed a search warrant at their shared residence early on October 2.

Maria Duenas described her son's struggles, attributing his actions to a difficult divorce, job loss, and substance abuse. She told The Post that Steven, once a kind and smiling child who attended mass and served as an altar boy, had undergone a significant decline. She stated that his bipolar disorder led to his termination from an LA County social services job, and that he had been struggling with prescription drug addiction and heavy alcohol consumption.

"Barrels of alcohol, he had been drinking and taking hundreds of bottles of meds, he was out of his mind," Maria Duenas said, describing the scene after her son's arrest. She expressed disbelief at the discovery of Molotov cocktail materials in their home, stating, "that's the worst part of it. I can't believe it."

When questioned about her son's potential animosity toward Jewish people, she responded that Steven had always been respectful and was not raised with such views. She recalled a past dispute with non-Jewish neighbors but maintained that Steven never spoke of it, adding, "it doesn't fit."

Maria Duenas hopes her son receives help and expressed a desire for him to attend a clinic, get sober, and find peace. Steven Duenas is scheduled to appear in court again on November 10.