Angelina Han Hicks, 18, of Lexington, North Carolina, was arrested Wednesday and charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with an alleged plot targeting Congregation Beth Israel in Houston, according to court documents. A 16-year-old boy was also arrested in Harris County, Texas, and charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder related to threats directed toward Jewish institutions in the Houston area.
The arrests followed an investigation by the FBI's Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force and local law enforcement agencies. Authorities said the plot involved plans to drive through the synagogue congregation and 'kill as many Jews as possible.'
District Court Judge Carlton Terry wrote in a detention order that the alleged conspiracy was 'to kill as many Jews as possible by driving through a congregation at a synagogue.' He noted that allowing communication between co-conspirators 'puts lives at risk.'
Hicks is being held in Davidson County jail under a $10 million bond. Her next scheduled hearing is May 13. The FBI said the investigation began Tuesday evening after a tip to a North Carolina law enforcement agency.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and law enforcement officials have highlighted the seriousness of terrorism-related charges and praised the FBI's rapid response. House Judiciary Committee members have called for full accountability in cases involving plots against religious institutions.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office has not issued a statement on this specific case, but the state has previously supported enhanced security measures at religious sites. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has emphasized community policing and vigilance against threats.
Local Republican officials in North Carolina have supported the investigation, with Davidson County prosecutors pursuing the case aggressively. Senior Assistant District Attorney Alan Martin said there was 'some concern that there could be an imminent event' targeting the Houston synagogue.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates and Jewish community leaders have emphasized the growing threat of antisemitic violence and called for continued vigilance. The Anti-Defamation League and other organizations have documented rising antisemitic incidents across the country.
Jewish community organizations in Houston praised the quick action by law enforcement. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston said the synagogue closed Wednesday 'out of an abundance of caution' and reopened Thursday. 'The safety and security of the Houston Jewish community is of utmost importance to all of us,' the federation stated.
Progressive criminal justice reformers have also noted that the 18-year-old suspect is young, with her attorney indicating experts will examine both investigative and forensic matters. Her lawyer told the Houston Chronicle that Hicks' youth could be a factor in her defense.
What the Numbers Show
Congregation Beth Israel is the oldest Jewish house of worship in Texas, founded in the 1850s. It also operates a school serving students up to fifth grade.
The alleged plot was scheduled for April 21, 2028, according to warrants — more than two years from now. However, prosecutors noted 'some concern that there could be an imminent event,' indicating the threat was considered immediate despite the future date in the documents.
Hicks is being held under a $10 million bond. The 16-year-old suspect has been charged in Harris County as a juvenile. Both face felony conspiracy charges.
This is the second notable antisemitic incident in recent weeks. On March 12, Ayman Ghazali, 41, drove his pickup truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, striking a security guard before exchanging gunfire with another guard and fatally shooting himself. Ghazali was a Lebanese-born U.S. citizen who learned one week before the attack that four family members were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
The Bottom Line
Law enforcement authorities say there is no other known credible threat to the Houston Jewish community at this time. Congregation Beth Israel reopened Thursday following the brief closure Wednesday.
The FBI and local prosecutors continue investigating whether other individuals were involved in the plot. The case highlights ongoing concerns about antisemitic threats targeting Jewish institutions, particularly amid heightened tensions in the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel launched operations against Iran on Feb. 28.
The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.