Point Pleasant Police Also File Charges Against Isis Supporter

POINT PLEASANT, NJ - Point Pleasant police have also filed charges against a borough man who planned to set off a pressure cooker bomb in Manhattan and "blow it up to kill people."

Borough police joined forces with the FBI on Feb. 21 when they responded to an Ocean Road home after Gregory Lepsky, 20, threatened to kill his mother and stabbed the family dog.

"During our attempt to negotiate, 20-year old Gregory Lepsky emerged from the residence and was taken into custody," Capt. Robert Lokerson said. "Lepsky was transported to Brick Hospital to be treated for a self-inflicted laceration.

The family dog had a large laceration on his back and was taken immediately to an area veterinary hospital. Police recovered a large knife in the suspect's bedroom that was believed to have been used in the attack on the dog, Lokerson said.

Point Pleasant Detective Scalabrini charged Lepsky with terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and animal cruelty.

"Through the course of this investigation, information was developed to connect Mr. Lepsky with ISIS and a potential plan to build and use a pressure cooker bomb," Lokerson said. "Detectives from the Point Pleasant Police Department commenced a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness."

Law enforcement officials found evidence of Lepsky’s plan to build and detonate a bomb as part of his support for ISIS during computer searches and other digital evidence in the home.

They found 3,340 internet searches on his Apple computer for information related to ISIS propaganda, terrorist attacks and beheadings, the U.S. Attorney's Office has said.

During several social media communications, Lepsky told others that he intended to fight on behalf of ISIS, and that he would, if necessary, become a martyr by driving a “bunch of explosives” to where the “enemies” could be found and blowing himself up.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark; the N.J. State Attorney General’s Office under the direction of Attorney General Christopher Porrino; the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Joseph Coronato; the Point Pleasant Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard P. Larsen; and the N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness under the direction of Director Chris Rodriguez, with the investigation leading to the charges.

Lepsky remains in federal custody pending court action, Lokerson said.

Image: Patch file photo