Ex-Reporter Sentenced To Five Years In Prison for JCC Bomb Threats

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Juan Thompson, the former journalist who bombarded Jewish community centers with fake bomb threats in a revenge plot against an ex-girlfriend, was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison.
In a New York federal court, the judge called Thompson’s crimes “domestic terrorism,” the New York Post reported.
“This is domestic terror in the literal sense,” his one-time girlfriend Francesca Rossi said in court. “Juan devoted over an entire year to destroying my life,” she said, describing how Thompson made more than a dozen bomb threats in her name.
I can’t express the elation of today. My glorious client, Francesca Rossi, spoke the truth about her nightmare in a “#BelieveWomen” tshirt. And the judge did!! And sentenced Juan Thompson 14 months more than the guidelines recommended. pic.twitter.com/mtJ5V7q2Me
— Carrie A. Goldberg (@cagoldberglaw) December 21, 2017
Thompson was previously fired from the investigative website Intercept for fabricating quotes.
Email Sam Kestenbaum at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @skestenbaum
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
