Wilmington Man Charged with Threatening Arson of Boston Mosque

BOSTON, MA–A Wilmington man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly threatening on Facebook to burn the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center's mosque.

Patrick Keogan, 44, was charged in a criminal complaint with making a threat over Facebook to injure or intimidate another individual or to unlawfully damage or destroy a building by means of fire, and of being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Massachusetts district office said.

According to charging documents shared in the release, Keogan threatened the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury, which provides a mosque, as well as educational, spiritual, and social services to the local Muslim community.

The charging documents state Keogan, in mid-November, "posted on the ISBCC’s Facebook page an image depicting a mosque in flames with lettering superimposed that stated 'Burn your local mosque,' along with the statement 'Hello scumbags,' next to a smiley face emoji." He also allegedly posted the same image on the Islamic Society of Northeastern University Facebook page.

The District Attorney's office said a warrant allowed law enforcement investigators to search Keogan's Facebook account, where they found posts related to burning mosques dating back to 2013. Those posts allegedly included commenting on a story about an arson on a Missouri Islamic Center, where he wrote, “Somewhere out there is an unknown hero. The people’s champion. A true God amongst mortal men. May your days be many & troubles be few my good man.” He also made reference to the "Mosque Burning Olympics," the charging document says.

In addition, according to court documents cited in the release, the investigation into his Facebook page revealed Keogan, despite being a convicted felon banned from possessing firearms and ammunition, had "continued to buy, sell, trade, build, modify, possess and shoot firearms and ammunition."

After obtaining a warrant to place a GPS tracking device on Keogan’s car, federal agents tracked Keogan to a gun store in New Hampshire this May, where he allegedly purchased two boxes of 8mm rifle ammunition and two bags of loose 8mm rifle ammunition, and then drove the ammunition back to his residence in Wilmington.

As a result, he could face 10 years in prison, at most, and fines up to $250,000.

Keogan is scheduled to appear in district court Tuesday.