US man who threatened to firebomb Florida Islamic center arrested

Authorities say man threatened to firebomb the center shortly after deadly attacks in Paris

MIAMI: The FBI on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly made a threat against a Florida Islamic center because he was angry about the Paris attacks, authorities said.



Shortly after learning of the attacks in the French capital that left at least 129 people dead, Martin Alan Schnitzler left a message late Friday with the Islamic Society of Pinellas County, according to the criminal complaint against him.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Paris carnage. In his message, Schnitzler said his call was made in light of what happened in France, warning that he was "going to personally have a militia that is going to come down to your Islamic Society of Pinellas County, firebomb you, and shoot whoever is there."



Police had no trouble finding Schnitzler via the cell phone he used to place the call.

In questioning over the weekend, Schnitzler said he was "very mad" about the terror attacks and had searched on the Internet for Islam and Pinellas county.



A search of his home, however, turned up no evidence of any dangerous materials, the court document said.

Still, he faces up to 10 years in jail on the threat by telephone charge, if convicted.