Point Pleasant man charged with planning to build bomb

<p>A 20-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with planning to build a pressure cooker bomb in support of the Islamic State group.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 6, 2017, 7:19 PM

Updated 2,688 days ago

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Point Pleasant man charged with planning to build bomb
A 20-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with planning to build a pressure cooker bomb in support of the Islamic State group.
Gregory Lepsky, of Point Pleasant, had his first hearing before a federal court judge on Friday.
A criminal complaint on Lepsky explains in detail how the 20-year-old was bragging about joining the Islamic State group, researched how to build a bomb and wanted to kill as many people as possible. The U.S. Attorney says Lepsky wanted to plant that bomb in New York City.
Prior to his arrest Lepsky was living at the Tanglewood Condominium Complex. Lepsky's neighbors say there were about eight to 15 police officers walking around the complex with weapons drawn the day Lepsky was arrested. 
Police tell News 12 they arrested the 20-year-old in February after a family member called 911 to say Lepsky was threatening to kill the family dog. When officers arrived the dog had been stabbed, but was alive. 
The criminal complaint says he was talking to police about the Islamic State group and said he wanted to kill his mother. Once inside the house, police say they found a new pressure cooker in Lepsky's closet.
The criminal complaint also states that Lepsky had social media posts related to the Islamic State group, including one that read "I actually want to die for the sake of God because when u do u get automatic heaven." 
Lepsky told police that he had joined the Islamic State group and had a plane ticket to Turkey. Authorities say he had been reading a book titled, "Martyrdom in Jihad Versus Suicide Bombings" and an article inside Inspire magazine called "How to Build a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom."
Lepsky's attorney asked that the judge ensure his client is granted the medication he relies on. He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.