Joshua Cobb, 23, was arrested Friday and charged with transmitting a menace in interstate and overseas commerce after allegedly posting plans for a mass assault in his residence state of New Jersey on social media the U.S. lawyer’s workplace for the state stated Monday.
“I wish to trigger mayhem on the white neighborhood. The explanation I particularly wish to goal white folks is as a result of as a Black male, they’ll by no means perceive my struggles,” Cobb allegedly wrote in 2022, greater than a 12 months earlier than he joined the Marine Corps.
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“I wish to erase them,” he posted, in line with a prison grievance filed by prosecutors final week. “All of them actually, however on this case as many as I probably can.”
Citing Marine Corps information, prosecutors stated that Cobb attended fundamental coaching at Parris Island, South Carolina, in June 2023. He then reported for obligation to the Marine Corps Air-Floor Fight Heart in Twentynine Palms in California the next February, solely to be discharged earlier this month, the grievance indicated.
“1st Marine Division is conscious of the arrest of Joshua Cobb by civilian authorities in New Jersey,” a spokesperson for his final unit, 2nd Lt. Giselle Cancino, instructed Navy.com by way of electronic mail Tuesday.
She confirmed that Cobb served from June 2023 to Might 10, 2024 — the day of his arrest — having attended the Faculty of Infantry-East at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as a rifleman with 1st Battalion, seventh Marine Regiment, and separated from the army as a personal firstclass.
“Cobb obtained a certificates of commendation, however no private army gadgets, nor did he deploy throughout his temporary time in service,” Cancino stated. She didn’t specify why Cobb was separated from the army.
The posts on social media indicated Cobb was planning an assault in New Jersey in 2023, although he didn’t specify a date, in line with officers. These posts stated that Cobb had two of 4 weapons he needed to make use of for the assault on “an essential vacation to their race.”
Prosecutors stated Cobb admitted to authorities to writing the posts on social media when interviewed in April aboard Twentynine Palms. He allegedly offered detailed data on three areas for the assault, which included a gymnasium and a grocery retailer.
“After I would fantasize about these items, I’d get very detailed,” he allegedly instructed legislation enforcement final month, including that he imagined committing the assault on the gymnasium, for instance, and “then at that time go AWOL, go to love a unique nation or one thing.”
The grievance alleged that Cobb idolized Nikolas Cruz, a mass assassin who killed 17 folks at Parkland Excessive Faculty in Florida. He stated he watched movies of Cruz and “felt a connection” to him. He additionally allegedly mentioned in social media posts hopes of turning into a serial killer, in line with prosecutors.
“Think about the frenzy you’d really feel whereas capturing some sh– up,” he allegedly posted. “In all probability might get actually excessive off the adrenaline alone. I would most likely OD alone adrenaline after the tenth physique goes down.”
An lawyer listed as Cobb’s consultant didn’t provide any remark when contacted by Navy.com on Tuesday.
Cobb waived a preliminary listening to Monday and remained in detention pending a bail listening to later this week; he faces a most of 5 years in jail and a $250,000 superb.
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