A Florida man who was found with an AR-15 and other weapons was arrested after authorities said he’d planned an attack at a pro-Israel organization in Plantation.
Forrest Kendall Pemberton, 26, was arrested last week on a stalking charge after an investigation by the FBI, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Although it’s not named in the complaint, the organization is believed to be the American Israel Public Affairs Committe, or AIPAC, which has a location on N. Pine Island Road in Plantation.
According to the complaint, Pemberton’s father reported him missing to law enforcement on Dec. 23.
His family found a letter believed to have been written by Pemberton with “anti-authority sentiments” stating he wanted to “close the loop,” “stoke the flames” and say goodbye to his family, the complaint said.
The family said missing from his room and believed to be in his possession were an Ar-15 rifle, a 9mm pistol, a Galil rifle and a laptop
On his computer, he searched for various entities including the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, IRS Appeals and Chief Counsel Office, and an address on South Pine Island Road in Plantation adjacent to the IRS Appeals and Chief Counsel Office, the complaint said.
The complaint said he also searched for an organization in Plantation that lobbies for “pro-Israel policies that strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
That same day, Dec. 23, a family member provided the FBI a screenshot of four ATM withdrawals made by Pemberton at different locations along University Drive in Plantation, the complaint said.
Authorities discovered Pemberton had checked in to a hotel in Plantation on Dec. 22 and checked out the next day. On Dec. 24, records showed Pemberton was at another hotel in Tallahassee.
On Dec. 25, He was seen getting into a rideshare vehicle with an apparent soft rifle case, the complaint said.
Law enforcement stopped the vehicle and Pemberton handed over the AR-15, the Galil rifle and the pistol, along with ammunition, the complaint said.
Pemberton was interviewed by investigators and said he’d walked from Gainesville to Ocala, where he bought a pickup truck.
Hellbound and Down 