Utah Man Who Thought He Was ‘Hitler Reincarnated’ Charged with Hate Crimes for Threatening N.Y.C. Synagogue

A man was charged with terrorism charges on Thursday, March 6, after making terroristic threats against a Manhattan synagogue, according to ABC 7, The New York Post and The Times of Israel.

Luis Ramirez, a 23-year-old man from Utah, was charged with one count of making a terroristic threat as a hate crime and another count of making a terroristic threat, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said, per The Times of Israel.

Ramirez was arrested by Port Authority Police in New Jersey while trying to cross into Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel on Friday, Feb. 14, around 5:30 p.m., NBC New York reported last month. He was arrested after he allegedly made online threats to shoot up the prominent Manhattan synagogue, Central Synagogue. His posts were found by the Community Security Initiative, who reported the threats to law enforcement, per The Times of Israel.

His various X posts included threatening statements, saying he was Adolf Hitler “in a past life” and allegedly threatened to kill “as many Jews as I killed in [World War II],” per the NYP.

“The Jews killed me in my past life,” he wrote in a different X post, per the Times of Israel. He also threatened a massacre at the Central Synagogue in a Thursday, Feb. 13 X post. 

On Thursday, March 6, he appeared in court, where he was photographed grinning in his handcuffs. During the court appearance, Assistant District Attorney David Stuart said, “The defendant made terroristic threats that he was Adolf Hitler reincarnated,” per NYP.

Before his arrest, he was discharged from military officer cadet training school in Virginia for psychological reasons, Stuart said. During his time there, he also allegedly made some of the threats, per ABC 7.

Judge Julieta Lozano granted the prosecution’s request that he would be administered a psychological exam. 

Prosecutors said Ramirez said in recorded prison calls before his extradition that he made references to himself as “being different biblical characters,” per NYP. Additionally, while in custody, he was diagnosed with “some serious mental health disorders,” including psychosis and delusions, per ABC 7.

His attorney, Sergio De La Pava of the New York County Defender Services, agreed with the prosecution that a mental health exam is an appropriate measure for his client.

“Luis Ramirez allegedly made extremely disturbing and serious threats against Central Synagogue, and we have absolutely no tolerance for this conduct,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, per ABC 7.

Bragg continued: “He is now charged with significant terrorism and hate crimes charges and was remanded into custody. Any form of antisemitism is despicable, and I want Manhattan’s Jewish community to know we are remaining extremely vigilant.”

If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

He is being held without bail and is due back in court on Thursday, March 20.

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A representative for the Manhattan District Attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Thursday.