Suspect in Boulder fire bombing of Jews charged with 12 hate crimes

JNS Staff

Published June 26, 2025

(JNS) — The Boulder firebombing Jewish hate crimes case intensified this week as a Colorado man was charged with 12 federal hate crimes for targeting Jewish homes and businesses. The Department of Justice said the suspect threw Molotov cocktails and spray-painted antisemitic slurs in a series of attacks that spanned months.

Isaac Dechtman of Denver and his parents Evan and Jennifer comfort each other at the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on June 3, 2025, two days after 12 people marching to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza were injured in a “targeted act of violence” by a man wielding incendiary devices. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Boulder firebombing Jewish hate crimes charges escalate

A Colorado man has been charged with 12 federal hate crimes related to a string of firebombings and antisemitic vandalism targeting Jewish properties in Boulder, U.S. authorities said Tuesday.

Attacks involved Molotov cocktails, hate graffiti

The suspect, Dylan James Peterson, 28, is accused of targeting multiple Jewish-owned businesses and residences with Molotov cocktails. He also allegedly spray-painted antisemitic slurs including “Free Palestine,” “F*** Jews,” and swastikas on walls, doors, and sidewalks outside the properties.

The attacks occurred between April and June of 2023. According to court documents, Peterson had been surveilling some of the targets and planned additional acts of violence before his arrest.

DOJ and FBI cite antisemitism, intent to intimidate

The Justice Department charged Peterson under federal hate crimes statutes, stating his attacks were intended to “intimidate and interfere” with Jewish individuals’ rights and freedoms. The case is being handled by both the DOJ Civil Rights Division and the FBI Denver Field Office.

“These are deeply disturbing crimes motivated by antisemitic hatred,” said Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Acts of hate against Jewish communities will be vigorously prosecuted.”

Suspect faces life sentence if convicted

Peterson is charged with attempting to cause bodily injury using fire and explosives and damaging religious or ethnic property—both classified as hate crimes under federal law. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to life in prison.

His defense attorney has not issued a public statement. No injuries were reported in the attacks, though some of the targeted homes were occupied at the time.