Los Angeles man charged over alleged threats against Jewish preschool and Molotov cocktail parts
Federal prosecutors accuse Steven Duenas, 51, of Los Feliz of making antisemitic threats online and possessing Molotov cocktail components, allegedly targeting the Jems Jewish preschool. His mother says the allegations don't fit her son and points to addiction and personal setbacks.
1 / 2
The story, neutrally told
Right · 1Steven Duenas, 51, of the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, was arrested by the FBI on Oct. 2 and is accused by federal prosecutors of making threats against Jews on social media and possessing a combination of parts designed and intended to make a Molotov cocktail. New York PostR “Steven Duenas, 51, is accused of making threats against Jews on social media and possessing a combination of parts designed and intended to make a Molotov cocktail, according to federal prosecutors. He was arrested Oct. 2.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 2Prosecutors say he targeted the nearby Jewish preschool Jems and planned to carry out a "mass incident" there. New York PostR “The Los Feliz resident allegedly targeted nearby Jewish preschool Jems, where he planned to carry out a “mass incident,” prosecutors said.” Read at New York Post ↗ JNSR “allegedly planned to carry out a "mass incident" at a Jewish preschool” Read at JNS ↗ Right · 1According to the New York Post, posts on X dated Sept. 19 showed what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail in front of a TV screen showing the burning World Trade Center, with captions including a "Goy De Ley' cocktail" joke, and a video showed apparent cocktail ingredients. New York PostR “In posts on X dated Sept. 19, Duenas displayed what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail in front of a TV screen showing the burning World Trade Center.” Read at New York Post ↗
Right · 2Other posts attributed to him included "Not enough synagogues have been burned down" and "I just acquired some Tomahawks from Facebook Marketplace, might bomb Jems later," and he called the Houthis, a U.S.-designated terror group, his "homies." New York PostR ““Not enough synagogues have been burned down” and “I just acquired some Tomahawks from Facebook Marketplace, might bomb Jems later.”” Read at New York Post ↗ JNSR “Duenas referred to the Houthis, a U.S.-designated terror group, as his "homies" on social media” Read at JNS ↗ Right · 1Duenas appeared in court shortly after his arrest, shackled and in tears; when the judge offered to postpone, he said he was ready to continue. He mouthed "I love you" to his mother, Maria Duenas, who was in the gallery. New York PostR “At one point the judge asked whether he wanted to postpone the proceedings until he could regain his composure. Duenas said he was ready to continue.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 2The FBI raided the home he shares with his mother at 4:30 a.m., and she was handcuffed alongside him. The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists a Steven Carlos Duenas, 51, at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles; JNS said it sought comment from the FBI. New York PostR “was handcuffed alongside her son when the FBI raided the residence they share at 4:30 a.m.” Read at New York Post ↗ JNSR “The Federal Bureau of Prisons lists a Steven Carlos Duenas, 51, incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.” Read at JNS ↗
Right · 1Maria Duenas told the Post her son's life unravelled after losing his Los Angeles County job, a long-distance marriage and a divorce, leading to prescription drug addiction; after the arrest she found barrels of alcohol and said he had been drinking and taking hundreds of medication bottles. New York PostR “Losing his job working for LA County, a long distance marriage, and eventually a divorce led to Duena’s prescription drug addiction, his mom says.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1She said he was raised respectful of others, that the family once had Jewish neighbours "that weren't very nice" and a dispute over a shared fence, but that he never spoke of it and the allegations "don't fit." She said she is not making excuses, believes he is sorry, and wants him to go to a clinic. New York PostR “at one point they had Jewish neighbors “that weren’t very nice”, and that there was a dispute about a shared fence but Steven “never spoke of it, it doesn’t fit.””“I’d like him to go to a clinic and clean up, to truly repent and find peace,” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1He is expected back in court on Nov. 10. The charges are allegations, and no plea or defence statement from Duenas is reported. New York PostR “Her son is expected back in court November 10th.” Read at New York Post ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present an alleged antisemitic plot against a Jewish preschool, built from prosecutors' account and posts; the Post adds a human-interest angle with the mother's account, and JNS largely re-summarises the Post.
- Emphasis
- Antisemitic posts, the Houthi reference and the preschool target; the mother's explanation of addiction and job loss, and the neighbour fence dispute.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports a charging document number, specific statutes, or a response from Duenas or his lawyer; JNS did not get FBI comment.
- Charged language
- “nabbed”“mass incident”“dramatic downward spiral”
- For example
-
“has been nabbed by the FBI, as his mother describes his dramatic downward spiral.” — New York Post
“Duenas referred to the Houthis, a U.S.-designated terror group, as his "homies" on social media” — JNS
What every side reports
- Steven Duenas, 51, was arrested Oct. 2 after an FBI raid on his home.
- Prosecutors allege he planned a 'mass incident' at a Jewish preschool and possessed Molotov cocktail parts.
- His mother says the allegations don't fit her son and cites a Jewish neighbours' fence dispute he never mentioned.
FBI organisation
The FBI carried out the 4:30 a.m. raid and arrest; JNS says it sought the FBI's comment.
“when the FBI raided the residence they share at 4:30 a.m.” — New York Post
“(JNS sought comment from the FBI.)” — JNS
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
-
Mixed Crime report with detailed quoted posts, pairing prosecutors' allegations with a sympathetic-leaning exclusive interview with the suspect's mother.
-
JNSR ·
Neutral Aggregation of the Post's reporting, attributing nearly everything to the Post and noting FBI comment was sought.
- 17 Oct 18:54 First New York PostR Man threatened to blow up LA Jewish Preschool with Molotov Cocktails, Mom defends actions “It doesn’t fit’
- 18 Oct 00:27 +5h 32m JNSR Los Angeles man allegedly planned “mass incident” at Jewish preschool, had Molotov cocktail materials
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
Ask about this story
Loading…