Jakob Marcoulier, a 22-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Polk, was charged by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana on April 23 with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Authorities allege that Marcoulier used the online platform Discord to threaten violence against Jewish people in a synagogue.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about threats targeting religious communities and underscores law enforcement’s efforts to address hate crimes. If convicted, Marcoulier faces up to five years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller said, “Threats against synagogues and Jewish Americans are threats to the religious freedom promised to every single one of us, and this Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting those freedoms. This case demonstrates the FBI’s vigilance and swift action in identifying and taking action against those who perpetrate these threats, and our Office looks forward to seeing justice done in this case.”
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office said, “The FBI is focused on preventing violent hate crime attacks and disrupting violent criminal plots, before they occur. Once the concerned citizen reached out to 1-800-CALL-FBI to report this situation, FBI Special Agents in Birmingham and New Orleans, and our partners in the U.S. Army, acted swiftly in this case. This is a perfect example of how the public is law enforcement’s greatest partner.”
According to court documents cited by prosecutors, an online tip received by the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center led investigators to recorded audio from Discord where an individual identified as Marcoulier made detailed threats referencing plans for violence after his deployment.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI alongside the Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Nickel is prosecuting with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
Authorities remind that a criminal complaint is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
