Massachusetts man charged with stockpiling arms mulled attack-prosecutors

Officials have arrested a MA man after he allegedly threatened to burn down a mosque and to attack President Obama.

Forty-year-old Joseph Garguilo of Holliston, Massachusetts, is due in court on Monday to face charges of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition after the Federal Bureau of Investigation found an arsenal at his home including parts for an assault-style rifle, six ammunition magazines, Tasers and explosives. He waived his right to a probable cause hearing and is being held pending a detention hearing set for Wednesday.

The FBI first learned of Garguilo’s weapons stockpile and alleged threats in a July 27 tip from a female acquaintance of Garguilo’s, according to an affidavit from FBI Special Agent Maximilian Fox. Garguilo also allegedly said he wanted to, “chain a mosque closed and burn it down”.

“The truth will eventually reveal itself, but Mr. Garguilo denies any and all such allegations”, Meehan said. “[Redacted] also reported that during the visit, Garguilo made a comment to the effect that when President Obama was on the golf course in Martha’s Vineyard, Garguilo should have taken the opportunity to kill him”. He was arrested Saturday morning and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m.

He has been charged with one count of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.

Garguilo is the subject of an active restraining order which prohibits him from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon a finding that “there is substantial likelihood of immediate danger of abuse…”, according to documents from Ortiz’s office. Garguilo’s home was search, and authorities found illegal ammo and handwritten notes against people of the Islamic faith.