Authorities say the 16-year-old was communicating online with an 18-year-old from North Carolina about targeting a Houston synagogue.
HOUSTON — A 16-year-old facing charges connected to an alleged plot to attack a Houston synagogue is due back in court Thursday.
Harris County authorities have charged the teen with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with an alleged threat against Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Houston. Investigators allege he was communicating online with 18-year-old Angelina Han Hicks of Lexington, North Carolina, who is also facing charges and being held on a $10 million bond.
Authorities say the two allegedly discussed targeting the synagogue, a threat serious enough to force the congregation to close early earlier this week.
The court ordered the 16-year-old to remain in jail after the previous hearing on April 24. The teen’s state-appointed attorney, Spence Graham, spoke with KHOU 11 after the previous hearing
“I think given the serious nature of the allegations, we’re not at all surprised,” Graham said. “Obviously, the state does and should take these kind of allegations very seriously.”
Graham noted that the juvenile system offers more frequent review than adult court.
“Fortunately, the way the juvenile system is set up is there’s a new detention hearing every 10 business days.”
Hicks was arrested on Wednesday by detectives with a North Carolina sheriff’s office following a tip to a North Carolina law enforcement agency. Court documents allege she and co-conspirators planned a mass-casualty attack at Congregation Beth Israel, intending to drive through the congregation. Hicks faces two felony conspiracy counts in North Carolina.
Houston police, working alongside FBI Houston and the Alief ISD Police Department, arrested the 16-year-old in Harris County.
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