The FBI says last weekend’s arrest of Jonathan Kramer came as he was about to launch a terror attack. The 21-year-old Butler County man who pledged allegiance to an ISIS leader first came to law enforcement’s attention in 2023 for internet posts about attacks and explosives. Kramer was arrested and declared delinquent for plotting a mass-casualty event and soliciting child sexual abuse material from a teen in Germany.
He was held at a juvenile facility until March and shortly after his release, the FBI received a tip Kramer was ordering mysterious packages.
Then, on September 9th, investigators say he wrote about his mission, saying all he needed was a weapon.
Agents moved in last Saturday after they say Kramer bought a burner phone, met someone in a parking lot and removed what they believe was a rifle from the trunk of a vehicle, paid cash for a hotel room, and then was seen at sporting goods gun counter.
A witness told investigators they heard Kramer say “Today is the day.”
He was arrested outside the hotel where agents say they found in his room a rifle, high-capacity magazines, more than 100 rounds of ammo and over 30 knives.
While Kramer is presumed innocent and the legal process is just beginning, his arrest demonstrates the dedication and determination of the FBI agents involved in the six-month operation.
More importantly, someone gave authorities an invaluable tip, because they saw something and said something.
